OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator. This document is also available as Markdown.

← Tropical Isles

2025-03-31-accounts

Trustees' Report and Accounts Tropical Isles For the year ended 31 March 2025

Contents

Tropical Isles Page 2 of 22

Trustees' Report and Accounts

Trustees' Report and Accounts

Tropical Isles For the year ended 31 March 2025

CHARITY REGISTRATION NO: 1090798

Tropical Isles Page 3 of 22

Trustees' Report and Accounts

Legal and Administration

Tropical Isles

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Charity Registration
Number		 1090798
Trustees Miss Deirdre Scantlebury,
Mr Jeffrey St. Jean,
Miss Peggy Patricia McKenzie (Treasurer and Signatory)
Management Committee Deirdre Scantlebury (Chair)
Sydney Hawthorne (Youth Representative)
Marva Antoine (Managing Artistic Director)
Staff Marva Antoine (Managing Artistic Director)
Stephanie Antoine (Artistic Director)
Denise Ojo (Assistant Data Analyst)
Renita Christophe (Creative Programmer & Costume Tutor)
Registered Office The Rose Lipman Building,43 Beauvoir Road, London N1 SSQ
Independent Examiner Rolston Allen FCCA
Allen Robyn & Associates Limited
Chartered Certified Accountants
London N7 9DQ
Banker Barclays Bank PLC, Kingsland Holloway & Kingsland Group 3 - 5 Kingsland High Street, London
E8

Tropical Isles Page 4 of 22

Trustees' Report and Accounts

Trustees' Annual Report

Tropical Isles For the year ended 31 March 2025

The Trustees present their report with the charity's financial statement for the year ending 31st March 2025.

The Trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP). The reference and administration set out below form part of this report, and the financial statement complies with current requirements, the Memorandum and Articles of Association and the Statement of Recommended Practice - ‘Accounting and Reporting by Charities' issued in March 2015.

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES:

  1. To advance the education of the public, in particular, but not exclusively, children in the arts (meaning creative and performing arts) or any other arts provided in each case, they are recognised as having cultural, aesthetic or educational value, culture and traditional values of the African Caribbean community

  2. To foster, promote and increase public interest in the arts, and in particular the active encouragement and development of children into the cultural and social heritage of the African Caribbean community and subjects of artistic merit so that the development of good relationships between persons of different racial groups might be promoted and the contribution which a multi-Racial community has to make to society might be enhanced, especially but not exclusively in the London Borough of Hackney and surrounding areas.

About us :

Tropical Isles is a registered Charity which aims to develop its participation events programme by providing year-round carnival arts and educational art after-school activities, with a specific focus on developing and enhancing the skills and talents of disadvantaged children and young people who may be at risk. Tropical Isles is an ambitious, fast-growing organisation determined to enhance the educational outcomes of children and young people growing up in deprived areas of Hackney. This work supports young people's ability to succeed in the formal school curriculum while giving them the opportunity to work on professionally produced creative products in an unconventional learning environment.

Aims and Objectives:

Ensuring Our Work Delivers Our Aims:

At Tropical Isles, we remain firmly committed to creating ground-breaking, multi-disciplinary art projects that offer fresh perspectives on everyday life, stimulate thoughtful debate, and promote positive change and social progress. Our mission is centred around engaging and empowering our community through creative expression and cultural exploration.

Our artistic activities, described below, aim to bring the arts closer to people in our borough. The focus of our youth engagement program is on developing skills in production, performance, and leadership across carnival arts, crafts, and dance. While we continue to strive to reach as wide an audience as possible, we will concentrate our efforts over the next three years on the following key objectives:

Tropical Isles Page 5 of 22

Trustees' Report and Accounts

Trustees' Annual Report

STRATEGIC REPORT

Overview

During 2024/25, Tropical Isles successfully delivered a wide-ranging programme that raised the artistic profile of emerging carnival artists while supporting children and young people (CYP) to develop creative, leadership, and career pathways. Despite significant operational challenges, particularly around participation in Notting Hill Carnival, the organisation demonstrated strong delivery, high engagement, and resilience.

The programme reached large and diverse audiences, achieved high participation and retention rates, and strengthened Tropical Isles’ reputation locally and nationally through performance, education, and partnership work.

Programme Delivery and Participation

Overall Reach

Key Activity Areas and Achievements

Outcome:

Emerging artists progressed from participants to mentors, strengthening leadership capacity and raising their professional profile.

Progress Summary

Tropical Isles Page 6 of 22

Trustees' Report and Accounts

Trustees' Annual Report

Hackney Council Creative Pathway Project – Evaluation Summary & Outcomes

Project Reach

Activities Delivered

Key Outcomes

Tropical Isles Page 7 of 22

Trustees' Report and Accounts

Trustees' Annual Report

Workshops, Rehearsals & Artistic Production

Outcome:

Participants demonstrated increased confidence, technical skill, and readiness for public performance.

Carnival Delivery and Performance

The incident highlighted the need for clearer risk mitigation, contracts, and contingency planning for large-scale events.

Hackney Museum Partnership

Outcome:

Significant profile-raising for carnival arts within formal education and public cultural spaces.

Vogue World Fund Grant – Dance and Creative Studio Initiative

Studio Development and Community Access

Artist Residency and Collaborative Programmes

Emerging Artist Development

Expected Outcomes

Tropical Isles Page 8 of 22

Trustees' Report and Accounts

Trustees' Annual Report

Hackney Activities Food Easter & Summer 2025 HAF Programme

East End Community Fund – Summer Camp Carnival Project

Impact:

Media, Profile and Recognition

Challenges and Organisational Learning

Response:

Tropical Isles Page 9 of 22

Trustees' Report and Accounts

Trustees' Annual Report

Strategic Progress and Future Direction

Tropical Isles enters 2025/26 with a strong foundation and ambitious plans for growth and impact. Key strategic developments include:

Through these initiatives, Tropical Isles aims to consolidate its position as a leading organisation for carnival arts, youth development, and community cultural engagement, ensuring sustainable growth, innovation, and measurable impact.

Trustee Assurance Statement

Despite significant external challenges, Tropical Isles delivered a strong year of artistic, educational, and community impact. The organisation demonstrated resilience, accountability, and a clear commitment to supporting emerging carnival artists, creative pathways for young people, inclusive community engagement, and cultural participation through programmes such as the Vogue World Fund, Hackney Council Creative Pathway, HAF, and Summer Camp Carnival.

Special Acknowledgement

The trustees express their gratitude towards the support received from funders, individuals, and other community organisations. Their unwavering support has enabled us to reach our current stage of development. We are particularly thankful to all the funders who have helped us in developing our young people and our organisation. The trustees also acknowledge the contributions of the management committee, staff, and volunteers who have demonstrated exceptional work, dedication, and loyalty to our cause.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all our staff, freelance artists, industry mentors, case officers, volunteers, participants, funders, and stakeholders for their continued support.

Looking forward to the future

Engaging more and new participants to achieve and have fun. Suitable quality activities are about giving all young people the opportunity to participate fully and to continue providing purposeful, positive activities that are popular with young people, and ensuring they enjoy their experience and have lots of fun. Making these opportunities available to participants by providing free activities is essential.

We have a strong working relationship with the Art Council of England, our key funder; our Local Authority, the London borough of Hackney; the Hackney Cultural Team; and Young Hackney. Tropical Isles will be able to continue with the programme as Tropical Isles' premises are now based at the Rose Lipman Building, Hackney, N1.

This was a very challenging year for us all, and we are pleased to announce that Tropical Isles has joined the Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation 2023-26 Investment Programme, Raising the profile of emerging carnival artists.

Tropical Isles Page 10 of 22

Trustees' Report and Accounts

Trustees' Annual Report

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

The Board meets annually, and the management committee meets monthly. There are several subcommittees covering finance, fundraising, and specific projects. The charity has a close relationship with Hackney Community Voluntary Services, which provides assistance and advice on safeguarding and business matters.

Governing Documents

The organisation became a charitable company by its constitution on 6th December 2001, which was further amended on 7th February 2002.

Charity

The organisation was registered with the Charity Commission on 26th February 2002. Registration number is 1090798. Recruitment and Appointment of the Management Committee

The organisation shall have a Management Committee comprising not less than three and not more than fifteen persons as follows:

  1. Not more than ten persons elected by the membership at the annual general meeting and

  2. In addition, the management committee shall have the power to co-op up to two persons who need not be members of the organisation for their specialist skills and or knowledge of the Management Committee

Organisation Structure

The trustees ensure that our organisation has a clear strategy, are responsible for the organisation's governance in line with our stated vision, and monitor the organisation's finances and activities. With an active management committee that meets monthly and informal weekly meetings, the committee has a designated treasurer and an active chair. Its role is to provide guidance and direction and to report back to the trustees.

The artistic Director works with a team of two seasonal staff and a part-time assistant artistic director to ensure that the charity develops and delivers quality services for its service users in our care.

Related Parties.

None of the trustees received any remuneration or other benefits for their work with the charity. Any connections between a trustee or senior manager of the charity must be disclosed at a full board meeting of trustees in the same way as other contractual relationships with the contracted party. In the current year, no related-party transactions were reported. Tropical Isles has members who are related.

The amount due to Marva Antoine at the end of the financial year was £4,336 (2024 £2,336) Risk Management

The trustees have a risk management strategy, which comprises

  1. The trustees actively review the risks which the charitable company faces on a regular annual basis.

  2. The establishment of systems and procedures to mitigate those risks identified in the plans and the implementation of procedures designed to minimise potential impact on the charity should those risks materialise.

  3. This work has identified that financial sustainability is a significant financial risk for the charity.

  4. The charity also purchased a range of insurance, Trustees' induction and training

Where new Trustees are needed, they will be identified and appointed by the current Trustees. At present, there are three Trustees and five Committee Members (MC). New Trustees receive an MC Induction Pack and appropriate training on their role and functions.

Investment Policy and Performance

The Trustees consider that the day-to-day needs of the Charity make it inappropriate to invest funds for the medium to long term and therefore invests its reserves in interest deposits. The Trustees accept that the interest rates achieved during the year were in line with market rates, but will keep this under continuous review

Tropical Isles Page 11 of 22

Trustees' Report and Accounts

Trustees' Annual Report

Reserve policy

The trustees have established that unrestricted reserves should be between 3 and 6 months of expenditure. These reserves are required should there be a reduction in funding of financial resources. The current level of reserves has not met this target and strategies have been put in place to meet this target in the next three years.

Financial review

The Charity’s financial statements for the year ended 31st March 2025 show a surplus of £5,834 - 2024: £31,185

Tropical Isles Page 12 of 22

Trustees' Report and Accounts

Report of the Trustees

Tropical Isles For the year ended 31 March 2025

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with Applicable Law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom General Accepted Accounting Practice)

The Law applicable to charities in England and Wales, the Charities Act 2011, Charity (Accounts and Report) Regulations 2008 and the provision of the trust deed required the Trustees to prepare financial Statements for each financial year which gives a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resource and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charity from that period. In preparing those financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

  1. i. Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

  2. ii. Observe the methods and principles in the Charity SORP;

  3. iii. Make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

  4. iv. Prepare the financial statement on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclosure with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and, hence, for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Accountants

The accountants, Allen Robyn & Associates Limited, will be proposed for re-appointment at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.

ON BEHALF OF THE TRUSTEES:

Deirdre Scantlebury (Jan 16, 2026 20:27:45 GMT)

Deirdre Scantlebury

Trustee

Jeffery St.Jean (Jan 20, 2026 17:54:37 GMT) Mr Jeffrey St. Jean Trustee

Tropical Isles Page 13 of 22

Trustees' Report and Accounts

Report of the Independent Examiner

Tropical Isles

For the year ended 31 March 2025

I report on the Financial Statements of the Tropical Isles for the year ended 31st March 2025, which are on pages 15-16 and Notes to the Financial Statements on Pages 17-20.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity's trustees are responsible for preparing the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011(The 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is required.

It is my responsibility to:

Basis of the independent examiner's statement

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 the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit. 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 material matters have come to my attention which give me cause to believe that in any material respect:

Rolston Allen

Rolston Allen (Jan 20, 2026 18:31:50 GMT)

Rolston Allen FCCA

Chartered Certified Accountant Allen Robyn & Associates Limited London N7 9DQ

Tropical Isles Page 14 of 22

Trustees' Report and Accounts

Statement of Financial Activities

Tropical Isles

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Statement of Financial Activities
Tropical Isles
For the year ended 31 March 2025		 Statement of Financial Activities
Tropical Isles
For the year ended 31 March 2025
NOTES
2025
2024
INCOMINGRESOURCES
Incomingresources fromgenerated funds
Income
2
189,814
193,838
Total Incoming resources from generated funds
189,814
193,838
Total INCOMING RESOURCES
189,814
193,838
ResourcesExpended
Charitable Activities
3
141,090
119,645
Support Costs
4
38,639
39,748
Governance Costs
5
4,269
3,307
Total Resources Expended
183,998
162,699
Surplus/(Deficit) Resources
5,816
31,139
Investments
270 - Interest Income
18
46
Total Investments
18
46
Surplus/(Deficit) income after Other Income
5,834
31,185
Net Surplus/(Deficit) for the Year
5,834
31,185

Tropical Isles Page 15 of 22

Trustees' Report and Accounts

Statement of Financial Position

Tropical Isles As at 31 March 2025

Tropical Isles
As at 31 March 2025
NOTES 31 MAR 2025 31 MAR 2024
FixedAssets
Tangible assets 6 319 319
Total Fixed Assets 319 319
Current assets
Debtors - 28,000
Cash at bank and in hand 43,247 2,082
Total Current assets 43,247 30,082
Creditors: amountsfalling duewithinone year
Creditors 7 25,406 18,074
Total Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 25,406 18,074
Net current assets (liabilities) 17,841 12,008
Total assets less current liabilities 18,160 12,327
Net Assets 18,160 12,327
Funds
Restricted Fund 8 7,868 7,868
Unrestricted Fund 8 10,292 4,459
Total Funds 18,160 12,327

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and were signed on its behalf by:

Miss Deirdre Scantlebury Trustee Deirdre Scantlebury (Jan 16, 2026 20:27:45 GMT) Mr Jeffrey St. Jean Trustee Jeffery St.Jean (Jan 20, 2026 17:54:37 GMT)

Tropical Isles Page 16 of 22

Trustees' Report and Accounts

Notes to the Financial Statements

Tropical Isles

For the year ended 31 March 2025

1. Accounting Policies

Basis of preparing the financial statements

These financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with FRS 102 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard Section 1A applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland and the Companies Act 2006.

Tropical Isles meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.

Incoming resources

All incoming resources are included on the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity is legally entitled to the income, and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy.

Investment Income

Investment income consists of net interest received during the year and accounted for as unrestricted funds.

Resources expended

Expenditure is accounted for on an accrual basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs 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.

Charitable activities

Costs of charitable activities are those costs relating to the activities carried out to meet the objectives of the nursery. These include both directly attributable costs and apportioned support costs.

Governance costs

Governance costs are the costs associated with the strategic direction of the organisation with meeting regulatory responsibilities, including apportioned support costs.

Taxation

The charity is exempt from income tax on its charitable activities.

Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.

Fund Accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees. Restricted funds 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.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

Tropical Isles Page 17 of 22

Trustees' Report and Accounts

Notes to the Financial Statements

2025
2024		 2025
2024
2.Income
Art Council
Arts Council England - NPO/IPSO
(99,250)
(99,250)
Total Art Council
(99,250)
(99,250)
Local Authority
LB Hackney - Carnival
-
(500)
LB Hackney - HAF
-
(25,262)
Local Authority Income
(54,418)
(9,592)
Total Local Authority
(54,418)
(35,354)
Donations
Vogue World Fund
(12,682)
(28,000)
Costumes & Accessories income
(4,271)
(8,001)
Performances and Brand performances
-
(2,500)
LB Carpole
-
(250)
jack Petchey Foundation
(900)
(600)
Donations
(3,293)
(9,884)
East End Community Foundation Grant
(15,000)
(10,000)
Total Donations
(36,146)
(59,234)
Total Income
(189,814)
(193,838)
2025
2024
3. CharitableActivities
Artistic and Cultural Spend
8,787
4,499
Education and outreach costs
3,582
3,462
Operational Costs
2,124
1,311
Programme costs
4
20
Security Hire
2,962
3,335
Vehicle / Coach Hire
5,440
4,887
Volunteers Expenses
2,642
1,570
Salaries / ENIC
70,851
69,774
Refreshments / Catering
6,863
1,846
Equipments / Catering
-
4,874
Equipment / PA Hire
5,162
3,200
Accessories/Materials
22,699
10,198
Other Direct Activity
1,575
1,278
Sessional/Freelance Fees
8,400
9,391
Total Charitable Activities
141,090
119,645

Tropical Isles Page 18 of 22

Trustees' Report and Accounts

Notes to the Financial Statements

2025
2024		 2025
2024		 2025
2024
4. Supporting Costs
Advertising & Promotion
1,981
805
It and Computer costs
-
130
Rent
29,575
25,373
Staff Training
-
10
Bank Charges
207
179
General Costs
125
479
Insurance
1,449
1,486
Marketing / PR
4,150
514
Membership and Subscriptions
205
75
Repairs & Maintenance
-
9,939
Stationery and Printing costs
947
759
Total Supporting Costs
38,639
39,748
2025
2024
5. Governance Cost
Accountancy fees
3,069
2,107
Examiner Fee
1,200
1,200
Total Governance Cost
4,269
3,307
2025
2024
6.TangibleAssets
Office equipment
Cost
Opening Balance
5,241
5,241
Total Cost
5,241
5,241
Depreciation
Opening Balance
(4,922)
(3,611)
Office Equip depreciation charge
-
(1,311)
Total Depreciation
(4,922)
(4,922)
Total Office equipment
319
319
Total Tangible Assets
319
319
2025
2024
7. Creditors: amountsfalling duewithinone year
Short Term Loan Account
(4,336)
(2,336)
Accruals
(14,342)
(7,700)
Rounding
(1)
-
PAYE Payable
(2,532)
(1,606)
Outstanding Wages
(4,195)
(6,433)
Total Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
(25,406)
(18,074)

Tropical Isles Page 19 of 22

Trustees' Report and Accounts

Notes to the Financial Statements

2025
2024		 2025
2024		 2025
2024
8.Movementin Funds
Restricted Funds
Balance brought forward
7,868
7,868
Total Restricted Funds
7,868
7,868
Unrestricted Funds
Balance brought forward
4,459
(26,726)
(Deficit)/Surplus
Current Year Earnings
5,834
31,185
Total (Deficit)/Surplus
5,834
31,185
Total Unrestricted Funds
10,292
4,459
Total Movement in Funds
18,160
12,327

Tropical Isles Page 20 of 22

Trustees' Report and Accounts

Detailed Income and Expenditure

Tropical Isles

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Detailed Income and Expenditure
Tropical Isles
For the year ended 31 March 2025		 Detailed Income and Expenditure
Tropical Isles
For the year ended 31 March 2025		 Detailed Income and Expenditure
Tropical Isles
For the year ended 31 March 2025
NOTES
2025
2024
Income
Arts Council
99,250
99,250
Local Authority
54,418
35,604
Donations
23,464
30,984
Vogue World Fund
12,682
28,000
Total Income
189,814
193,838
Gross Profit
189,814
193,838
Expenses
Expenditures
Charitable activities
Artistic and Cultural Spend
8,787
4,499
Accessories/Materials
22,699
10,198
Education and outreach costs
3,582
3,462
Equipment / PA Hire
5,162
3,200
Equipments / Catering
-
4,874
Operational Costs
2,124
1,311
Other Staff Costs
-
-
Other Direct Activity
1,575
1,278
Programme costs
4
20
Refreshments / Catering
6,863
1,846
Salaries / ENIC
70,851
69,774
Security Hire
2,962
3,335
Sessional/Freelance Fees
8,400
9,391
Vehicle / Coach Hire
5,440
4,887
Volunteers Expenses
2,642
1,570
Total Charitable activities
141,090
119,645
Support costs
Advertising & Promotion
1,981
805
Bank Charges
207
179
Insurance
1,449
1,486
It and Computer costs
-
130
Marketing / PR
4,150
514
Membership and Subscriptions
205
75
Rent
29,575
25,373
Repairs & Maintenance
-
9,939
Staff Training
-
10
Stationery and Printing costs
947
759
General Costs
125
479
Total Support costs
38,639
39,748

Tropical Isles Page 21 of 22

Trustees' Report and Accounts

Detailed Income and Expenditure

NOTES
2025
2024
Governance cost
Examiner Fee
1,200
1,200
Accountancy fees
3,069
2,107
Total Governance cost
4,269
3,307
Total Expenditure
183,998
162,699
Surplus/(Deficit) before interest
5,816
31,139
Investments
Interest Income
18
46
Total Investments
18
46
Surplus/(Deficit) after interest
5,834
31,185
Net Surplus/(Deficit) for the year
5,834
31,185

Tropical Isles Page 22 of 22

Trustees' Report and Accounts