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← National Children's Choir Of Great Britain

2024-08-31-accounts

REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 04293391 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1093292

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

FOR

THE NATIONAL CHILDREN'S CHOIR OF GREAT BRITAIN

Graham Paul Limited Court House Court Road Bridgend CF31 1BE

THE NATIONAL CHILDREN'S CHOIR OF GREAT BRITAIN

CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

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Page
Report of the Trustees 1 to 3
Independent Examiner's Report 4
Statement of Financial Activities 5
Balance Sheet 6
Notes to the Financial Statements 7 to 13
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THE NATIONAL CHILDREN'S CHOIR OF GREAT BRITAIN (REGISTERED NUMBER: 04293391)

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 August 2024. The trustees have adopted 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 2019).

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Objectives and aims

The company is a charitable company and exists to advance the musical education of children and young persons in the United Kingdom through promotion of, and liaison with, regional choirs and provisions of facilities and equipment for members of such choirs. It also exists to advance the study and practice of choral music in order to foster public knowledge and appreciation of such music by means of public performance. The founder's vision was that talented young singers from throughout the United Kingdom would have the opportunity to work together and enjoy making music under the guidance of inspired teachers.

Significant activities

We ran two successful residential courses at Bromsgrove School, culminating in a sold-out public concert at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. Our youngest choristers performed with some of our Seniors, and our Blue and Green Choirs also performed together. This was something that came about directly from the feedback from choristers, who expressed that they would like more opportunities to work together with other choirs.

We have developed a new partnership with Future Talent, a charity that supports talented young musicians from low-income backgrounds. We are working on a joint bursary scheme to enable three choristers from low-income households to benefit from fully funded places at NCCGB for a year. Both organisations are committed to growing the number of bursaries that we can offer.During this year we were also delighted to be invited to sing on Future Talent's 20th anniversary album, and some of our Seniors recorded their parts during our summer course.

We continued to build on our partnership with Soundabout. We collaborated to run a second joint workshop for Blue Choir and Soundabout participants during our Easter course. We are committed to further exploring our inclusive work with Soundabout, and as part of this have participated in further discussions about the possibility of developing this on a national basis.

We were delighted to be asked to record two pieces for Britten Pears, as part of their Friday Afternoons project, which provides resources to school music teachers. Yellow Choir spent part of our summer course learning and then recording these pieces.

In August, we took 61 of our older choristers on tour to Berlin and Dresden, our first international tour following the Covid pandemic. The choir performed in four public concerts, the final one of which was a joint concert with the Philharmonic Dresden Children's Choir. This was reciprocal, following us performing with them at the Elgar Concert Hall at the University of Birmingham during their UK tour in September. The tour was an invaluable experience for our choristers, and we are now planning to tour every two years.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Reserves policy

The trustees recognise that the charity needs to maintain sufficient reserves to support the successful continuance of its activities. The trustees are seeking to increase the charity's income from donations and fundraising. This is in order to put the charity on a firmer financial footing, by increasing attendance at our courses. It is also to develop opportunities for all children to access our choral training through free auditions with a wider geographical spread, choral workshops, and wider awareness of the work of the charity.

The net outflow of funds for the year amounted to £11,496 (2023: £8,874 inflow) and the fund balance at the end of the year stands at £197,176 (2023: £208,672).

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THE NATIONAL CHILDREN'S CHOIR OF GREAT BRITAIN (REGISTERED NUMBER: 04293391)

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

The organisation is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 25th September 2001 and registered as a charity on the 6th August 2002. It constitutes a limited company, as defined by the Companies Act 2006.

The company was established under a Memorandum of Association which established the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its Articles of Association. Under those Articles, the members of the board are elected to serve for a period of 3 years, subject to ratification at each AGM.

Recruitment and appointment of new trustees

Trustees are sought and appointed from amongst those who have a particular interest,in advancing the musical education of the young and who bring appropriate attributes and experience to the Board of Trustees.

Organisational structure

The charity is administered by the Board of Trustees. The day to day operations of the charity are delegated to the Chief Executive Officer, Nicole O'Donnell.

Risk management

The trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error. During the year the trustees have had due regard to guidance published by the Charities Commission on public benefit.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Registered Company number

04293391 (England and Wales)

Registered Charity number

1093292

Registered office

Court House Court Road Bridgend CF31 1BE

Principal address

20 Chacombe Road Middleton Cheney Banbury Oxfordshire OX17 2QS

Trustees

Ms E Bonnon (resigned 11.11.23) Ms A C Carter (resigned 21.9.24) Ms J F Kemp (resigned 6.9.23) Ms M A Weatherley MBE (resigned 21.9.24) Ms G Murphy H D N Smith Ms E Clery Mrs M R Sissons T J Squires (appointed 6.9.23)

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THE NATIONAL CHILDREN'S CHOIR OF GREAT BRITAIN (REGISTERED NUMBER: 04293391)

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Company Secretary Ms N L O'Donnell

Independent Examiner

Graham Paul Limited Court House Court Road Bridgend CF31 1BE

Approved by order of the board of trustees on 14 January 2025 and signed on its behalf by:

Ms G Murphy - Trustee

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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE NATIONAL CHILDREN'S CHOIR OF GREAT BRITAIN

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of The National Children's Choir of Great Britain ('the Company')

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 August 2024.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

Since your charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a listed body. I can confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by Section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of Section 396 of the 2006 Act 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; or

  4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)).

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.

J E Payne ACA

Graham Paul Limited Court House Court Road Bridgend CF31 1BE

14 January 2025

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THE NATIONAL CHILDREN'S CHOIR OF GREAT BRITAIN

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

Unrestricted
fund
Notes
£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
4,314
Other trading activities
2
356,933
Investment income
3
7,180
Total
368,427
EXPENDITURE ON
Raising funds
4
378,928
Other
60
Total
378,988
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
(10,561)
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
202,051
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
191,490		 Restricted
fund
£
1,345
-
-
1,345
2,280
-
2,280
(935)
6,621
5,686		 2024
Total
funds
£
5,659
356,933
7,180
369,772
381,208
60
381,268
(11,496)
208,672
197,176		 2023
Total
funds
£
3,690
277,041
2,492
283,223
274,289
60
274,349
8,874
199,798
208,672

The notes form part of these financial statements

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THE NATIONAL CHILDREN'S CHOIR OF GREAT BRITAIN (REGISTERED NUMBER: 04293391)

BALANCE SHEET 31 AUGUST 2024

Unrestricted
fund
Notes
£
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
10
5,928
Cash at bank
193,680
199,608
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one year
11
(8,118)
NET CURRENT ASSETS
191,490
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT
LIABILITIES
191,490
NET ASSETS
191,490
FUNDS
12
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
TOTAL FUNDS		 Restricted
fund
£
-
5,686
5,686
-
5,686
5,686
5,686		 2024
Total
funds
£
5,928
199,366
205,294
(8,118)
197,176
197,176
197,176
191,490
5,686
197,176		 2023
Total
funds
£
1,375
290,345
291,720
(83,048)
208,672
208,672
208,672
202,051
6,621
208,672

The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 August 2024.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2024 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime.

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 14 January 2025 and were signed on its behalf by:

G Murphy - Trustee

The notes form part of these financial statements

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THE NATIONAL CHILDREN'S CHOIR OF GREAT BRITAIN

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) '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 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

The presentation currency of the financial statements is the Pound Sterling (£).

Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity 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.

Support costs

Support costs are those that assist the work of the charity but do not directly represent charitable activities and include governance costs consisting of management wages, accountancy, legal and professional fees. They are incurred directly in support of expenditure on the objects of the charity.

Taxation

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

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.

Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits

The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charitable company's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.

Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of less than one year.

Financial instruments

continued...

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THE NATIONAL CHILDREN'S CHOIR OF GREAT BRITAIN

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued

The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.

Debtors and creditors receivable/payable within one year

Debtors and creditors with no stated interest rate and receivable or payable within one year are recorded at transaction price. Any losses arising from impairment are recognised in expenditure.

2. OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES

2024
£
Course Fees
279,198
Auditions
3,003
Tour
73,663
Sundry sales
1,069
356,933
3.
INVESTMENT INCOME
2024
£
Deposit account interest
7,180
4.
RAISING FUNDS
Raising donations and legacies
2024
£
Support costs
50,410
5.
SUPPORT COSTS
Governance
Management
costs
£
£
Raising donations and legacies
43,240
7,170		 2023
£
273,654
2,806
-
581		 2023
£
273,654
2,806
-
581		 2023
£
273,654
2,806
-
581
277,041
2023
£
2,492
2023
£
49,382		 2023
£
2,492
Totals
£
50,410

continued...

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THE NATIONAL CHILDREN'S CHOIR OF GREAT BRITAIN

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

5. SUPPORT COSTS - continued

Support costs, included in the above, are as follows:

SUPPORT COSTS - continued
Support costs, included in the above, are as follows:
2024
Raising
donations
and
legacies
£
Wages
42,180
Pensions
1,060
Accountancy fees
3,376
Legal and professional fees
3,794
50,410		 2023
Total
activities
£
43,792
1,084
2,891
1,615
49,382

6. NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting):

2024 2023
£ £
Independent Examination Fee 1,764 1,638
Independent Examiner other services 1,156 1,193

7. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 August 2024 nor for the year ended 31 August 2023.

Trustees' expenses

There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 August 2024 nor for the year ended 31 August 2023.

8. STAFF COSTS

STAFF COSTS
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Other pension costs		 2024
£
121,830
6,610
1,060
129,500		 2023
£
103,025
4,531
1,084
108,640

The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:

Administration
Charitable activities		 2024
1
9
10		 2023
1
9
10

No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.

continued...

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THE NATIONAL CHILDREN'S CHOIR OF GREAT BRITAIN

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

8. STAFF COSTS - continued

Key management personnel includes the Chief Executive Officer. The total employee benefits (including salary, employers national insurance, pension and benefits in kind) of the key management personnel of the charity were £42,616 (2023:£44,874).

9. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

Unrestricted
fund
£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
3,680
Other trading activities
277,041
Investment income
2,492
Total
283,213
EXPENDITURE ON
Raising funds
271,931
Other
60
Total
271,991
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
11,222
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
190,829
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
202,051
10.
DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
Prepayments and accrued income		 Restricted
fund
£
10
-
-
10
2,358
-
2,358
(2,348)
8,969
6,621
2024
£
5,928		 Total
funds
£
3,690
277,041
2,492
283,223
274,289
60
274,349
8,874
199,798
208,672
2023
£
1,375

continued...

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THE NATIONAL CHILDREN'S CHOIR OF GREAT BRITAIN

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

11.
CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
Other creditors
12.
MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
At 1.9.23
£
Unrestricted funds
General fund
202,051
Restricted funds
Bursaries
6,621
TOTAL FUNDS
208,672
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
Incoming
resources
£
Unrestricted funds
General fund
368,427
Restricted funds
Bursaries
1,345
TOTAL FUNDS
369,772
Comparatives for movement in funds
At 1.9.22
£
Unrestricted funds
General fund
190,829
Restricted funds
Bursaries
8,969
TOTAL FUNDS
199,798		 2024
2023
£
£
8,118
83,048
Net
movement
At
in funds
31.8.24
£
£
(10,561)
191,490
(935)
5,686
(11,496)
197,176
Resources
Movement
expended
in funds
£
£
(378,988)
(10,561)
(2,280)
(935)
(381,268)
(11,496)
Net
movement
At
in funds
31.8.23
£
£
11,222
202,051
(2,348)
6,621
8,874
208,672

continued...

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THE NATIONAL CHILDREN'S CHOIR OF GREAT BRITAIN

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

12. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Unrestricted funds
General fund
Restricted funds
Bursaries
TOTAL FUNDS		 Incoming
resources
£
283,213
10
283,223		 Resources
Movement
expended
in funds
£
£
(271,991)
11,222
(2,358)
(2,348)
(274,349)
8,874

A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:

Unrestricted funds
General fund
Restricted funds
Bursaries
TOTAL FUNDS		 At 1.9.22
£
190,829
8,969
199,798		 Net
movement
in funds
£
661
(3,283)
(2,622)		 At
31.8.24
£
191,490
5,686
197,176

A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Unrestricted funds
General fund
Restricted funds
Bursaries
TOTAL FUNDS		 Incoming
resources
£
651,640
1,355
652,995		 Resources
Movement
expended
in funds
£
£
(650,979)
661
(4,638)
(3,283)
(655,617)
(2,622)

The restricted fund 'Bursaries' represents donations made to the charity for the intended purpose of covering the costs of course fees for beneficiaries.

continued...

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THE NATIONAL CHILDREN'S CHOIR OF GREAT BRITAIN

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

13. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 August 2024.

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