Trustees' Annual Report for the period
| Period start date | Period start date | Period end date | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| From | 01 / | 10 / | 2024 | To |
30 / 09 / |
2025 |
Section A Reference and administration details
Charity name East London Brass
Other names charity is known by
Registered charity number (if any) 1091235
Charity's principal address 226 Burnt Ash Hill
London Postcode SE12 0QE
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole **year ** |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oliver Sikora | Chairman | |||
| Matthew Harland | Treasurer | |||
| Martin Myers Lusty | Contest Secretary | |||
| Sarah Campbell | Committee member | |||
Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees)
Name Dates acted if not for whole year
Year to 30/09/2025
TAR
1
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of adviser Name Address
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Section B Structure, governance and management
Description of the charity’s trusts
Type of governing document Constitution
- (eg. trust deed, constitution)
How the charity is constituted Unincorporated associations (eg. trust, association, company)
Trustee selection methods Election by members at the Annual General Meeting (“ AGM ”) (eg. appointed by, elected by)
Additional governance issues (Optional information)
You may choose to include additional information, where relevant, about:
- policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees;
The trustees, who also constitute the Band’s management team, are elected by the members at the AGM.
The management team meets monthly at a minimum.
A risk management policy is in place, together with a risk register. The policy and risk register are reviewed regularly by the management team.
-
the charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works;
-
relationship with any related parties;
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trustees’ consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them.
Section C Objectives and activities
Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document
To advance the interest and education of the public in the appreciation of brass band music. To advance the education and training of children, young people and adults in the playing of brass band instruments. The band operates in the London Borough of Waltham Forest, from a local church, and fulfils its objectives primarily by providing a brass band for the London community.
Year to 30/09/2025
TAR
2
The trustees confirm that they have paid due regard to the Charity commission's guidance on public benefit in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.
East London Brass (the “ Band ”) undertakes a wide variety of activities aimed at increasing public awareness and appreciation of brass band music. These activities include self-promoted paid and free concerts, outside engagements for individuals, organisations and events and public engagements, as well as contests.
Summary of the main The Band is keen to encourage all players to develop their musical skills. activities undertaken for the Potential new players are also welcomed to rehearsals, and open public benefit in relation to rehearsals are held from time to time to enable members of the public to these objects (include within see how, for example, the Band prepares for a major contest. The Band this section the statutory is also keen to maintain and develop links with educational declaration that trustees have establishments for mutual benefit in developing musical skills. had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit)
Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)
East London Brass does not make grants
You may choose to include further statements, where relevant, about:
-
policy on grantmaking;
-
policy programme related investment;
-
contribution made by volunteers.
Year to 30/09/2025
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3
Section D Achievements and performance
Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year
2024-2025 was a successful year for the Band, with notable successes on the contest stage, with the band’s highest placing results in its long history. The following engagements were undertaken by the full Band:
Contests:
• Scottish Open o 5[th] place
-
London & Southern Counties Area Championships (Championship Section)
-
1[st] place
-
Qualify for the National Final at the Royal Albert Hall
-
Sue Murrill Memorial Shield for Best Trombone Section
-
British Open Spring Festival (Senior Trophy)
-
2[nd] place
o Promotion to the Senior Cup
Concerts and other engagements:
-
The Snowman (Leyton) – 4 performances – SOLD OUT
-
The Snowman (Blackheath) – 2 performances – SOLD OUT
-
Wallace and Gromit – The wrong trousers (Leyton) – SOLD OUT
-
Stow Summer Sounds (Free concert) – Well attended
As far as concerts were concerned, the use of Elim Church Leytonstone for The Snowman and the Wallace and Gromit concerts has been a continued success, and we were able to sell out all performances. The venue allows us to host a locally run event with the scale to access bigger audiences and at the same time benefit from their state-of-the-art sound and video equipment.
On the contest stage, the band’s results have proven its ability to challenge for the top spot in all contests arenas.
The Band’s Management Team continually review progress against the Band’s objectives.
Year to 30/09/2025
TAR
4
Section E Financial review
N/A
Brief statement of the charity’s policy on reserves
Details of any funds materially in deficit
None
Further financial review details (Optional information)
You may choose to include additional information, where relevant about:
-
the charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising);
-
how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity;
-
investment policy and objectives including any ethical investment policy adopted.
Our principal source of income is from our concerts, member subscriptions and gift aid.
The major items of expenditure were for the cost of putting on our concerts, the Band's Musical Director's fees; rehearsal hall hire; fees for guest players; music and equipment purchases.
- The Band does not have an investment policy due to the need to access its reserves at short notice, and these are maintained in the form of cash deposits in interest bearing accounts. There are no long-term investments.
Section F Other optional information
N/A
Section G Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s)
Matthew Harland Full name(s) Oliver Sikora Position (eg Secretary, Chair, Chair Treasurer etc) Date 20/07/26
Year to 30/09/2025
TAR
5
EAST LONDON BRASS RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30/09/2025
| RECIPETS | PAYMENTS | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| INTEREST | 79.45 | CONDUCTORS | 10,266.96 |
| SUBSCRIPTIONS | 6,701.00 | GUEST PLAYERS | 1,690.49 |
| ENGAGMENETS | 150.00 | CONTEST ENTRY FEE | 1,395.00 |
| CONCERT INCOME | 32,157.54 | CONTEST ADMIN | 70.00 |
| CONTEST PRIZES | 600.00 | CONCERT ADMIN | 9,418.26 |
| GIFT AID | 1,464.36 | REHEARSAL VENUE HIRE | 6,108.07 |
| VAN HIRE AND EXPENSES | 770.51 | ||
| INSTRUMENT / EQUIPMENT | 807.45 | ||
| MUSIC PURCHASE | 352.88 | ||
| UNIFORMS | 1,145.00 | ||
| ADMINISTRATION | 528.72 | ||
| INSURANCE | 14.00 | ||
| GIFTS | 150.40 | ||
| 41,152.35 | 32,717.74 | ||
| Balance brought forward 2023/24 | Balance carried forward 2025/26 | ||
| Current Account | 13,866.54 | Current Account | 12,221.70 |
| Savings Account | 1,066.42 | Savings Account | 11,145.87 |
| 56,085.31 | 56,085.31 |
Treasurer: Matthew Harland
Independent Examiner:
Michael Smith Member of Association of Taxation Technicians Membership number 172925
20th July 2026
EAST LONDON BRASS BALANCE SHEET FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30/09/2025
| Assets: | As of 30/09/2024 | As of 30/09/2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current Account | 13,866.54 | Current Account | 12,221.70 |
| Savings Account | 1,066.42 | Savings Account | 11,145.87 |
| Instruments and other equipment | 82,598.28 | Instruments and other equipment | 82,598.28 |
| Debtors | - | Debtors | - |
| Total: | 97,531.24 | Total: | 105,965.85 |
| Liabilities: | - | Liabilities: | - |
| Net Assets: | 97,531.24 | Net Assets: | 105,965.85 |
| Fund Balances: | Fund Balances: | ||
| Unrestricted | 14,932.96 | Unrestricted | 23,367.57 |
| Restricted | - | Restricted | - |
| Total: | 14,932.96 | Total: | 23,367.57 |
| Treasurer: Matthew Harland | Independent Examiner: |
20th July 2026
Michael Smith Member of Association of Taxation Technicians Membership number 172925
Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report Report to the trustees EAST LONDON BRASS On accounts for the 30/09/2025 Charity 1091235 year ended no (if any) Set out on pages THIS DOCUMENT ONLY - ACCOUNTS EXAMINED AND NO CONCERNS
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 30/09/2025.
Responsibilities and As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the basis of report accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
1
Oct 2018
IER
Independent examiner's statement
~~[The charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 and I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of [insert name of applicable listed body]~~ ]. Delete [ ] if not applicable.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination ~~(other than that disclosed below *~~ ) which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
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the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
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the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
-
• the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
- Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply.
Signed:
Date: 20 JULY 2026
Name: MICHAEL SMITH
Relevant professional ASSOCIATION OF TAXATION TECHNICIANS qualification(s) or body MEMBERSHIP NUMBER 172925 (if any):
Address: 226 BURNT ASH HILL
LONDON, SE12 0QE
Section B Disclosure
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).
2
Oct 2018
IER
Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .
3
Oct 2018
IER