ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDING 31 August 2025 Company Limited by Guarantee Company No. 04556232 Charity No. 1098680
LANTERN ARTS CENTRE
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 AUGUST 2025
A Company Limited by Guarantee
Company No. 04556232
Charity No. 1098680
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDING 31 August 2025
Company timfted by Guarantee Cornpany No. 04556232 Charity No. 1098680
This page is intentionally blank
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDING 31 August 2025 Company Limited by Guarantee Company No. 04556232 Charity No. 1098680
## **CONTENTS**
||Pages|
|---|---|
|1. Introduction|1|
|2. Chairman’s Statement|2|
|3. Operational & Artistic Report|3|
|4. Purposes & Activities|4-6|
|5. Structure, Governance & Management|7-9|
|6. Objectives|10-11|
|7. Financial Review|12|
|8. Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities|13|
|9. Statement of Financial Activities, Balance Sheet and Notes|14-21|
|10. Independent Examiners Report|22|
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDING 31 August 2025 Company Limited by Guarantee Company No. 04556232 Charity No. 1098680
## **1. INTRODUCTION**
## **Report of the Trustees for the Year Ending 31 August 2025**
The Trustees of the Lantern Arts Centre (LAC) are pleased to present our annual report for the Year Ending 31 August 2025, including consolidated financial statements for the Charity. It meets the Companies Act requirements for a director’s report and financial accounts.
The financial statements comply with the Charity’s Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006 and the Statement of Recommended Practice – Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP 2015).
## **About the Lantern Arts Centre**
Founded over thirty years ago, the Lantern Arts Centre is an established and well-resourced community arts centre run year-round by permanent staff and volunteers.
As a faith-based charity the Lantern welcomes everyone in Raynes Park and beyond to its wide-ranging activities. These include affordably ticketed regular community productions, a thriving youth theatre and children's theatre club, dance, acting and singing classes, a community choir, film clubs, activities for toddlers and much more.
## **Our Supporters**
We are very grateful to all those who support the Lantern Arts Centre.
Our financial supporters in this year were:
- Lantern Angels – our regular givers
- Lantern Arts Centre Community – one off donations
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ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDING 31 August 2025 Company Limited by Guarantee Company No. 04556232 Charity No. 1098680
## **2. CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT**
## **Chairman’s Statement – Martin Welsh**
Another busy and exciting year at the LAC has passed. We have continued to offer more activities and events than ever before. Once again this has not been without its challenges for our dedicated team, but once again it has also been hugely rewarding for our whole community.
As ever our heartfelt thanks go to our Artistic Director, Amy Phillips, and our Operations Manager, Steve Rees, who have continued to lead us so effectively over the year. A huge thank you too to Alice Hudson Sheaf and Simona Masso alongside our dedicated and growing team of amazing volunteers, without whom we just couldn’t operate as effectively as we do.
We have seen some changes to the board this year. In September we welcomed four new trustees, with Ben O’Hagan, Sadie Cook, and Tim Barrow joining for the first time and Dave King rejoining the board after taking a break for a couple of years. James Hebbourn stood down after 5 years serving as a trustee, and in April Alan Brown and Mick Fuller also left the board, with nearly 35 years of service between them! Alan had also served for many years as Chair and Mick in numerous roles including Vice Chair. Huge thanks go to all these three for all the many things they have done for the LAC over such a long time. It’s great to know that they all intend to continue being involved in many other ways, and I’m delighted that both Alan and Mick have agreed to become Honorary Patrons of the LAC.
As a true Community Arts Centre I want to thank all those who support us in so many different ways. Those who support us financially – the continued generous contributions from our regular givers, our Angels, is a real blessing, especially with the cost of living so high at the moment. Thanks go to those organisations that have given us grant funding in the year, and also to all involved in the application process. Everyone who has bought a ticket or subscribed to one of our activities, anyone who tapped the machine on the way home – your support is so important to us, and it is very gratefully received. By supporting us in this way you allow us to keep on offering what we do.
I also want to thank everybody who has given their time to the LAC this year, in whatever role. Our amazing volunteers are a huge part of what makes this place so special - thank you all so much for being part of our community.
Finally, I would like to thank all the Trustees once again for their help and support given so freely throughout the year. After 11 years serving as a trustee and 6 years as Chair I gave notice at the start of the year of my intention to stand down and after a rigorous recruitment process I’m delighted to confirm that the board has appointed Dave King to be the next LAC Chair. It’s been an enormous honour for me to have been able to serve in this way, and a real privilege to have worked with such wonderful people over that time.
As we look to the future I’m sure that Dave is the right person to lead the LAC forwards with so many exciting things in store, not least the continuing Lantern Centre Project. We look forward to continuing our close collaboration with our friends at the LMC, and we want to carry on reaching an even wider group of our community, inviting them to share with us the joy of creative expression in the Arts, in a safe and caring environment where everyone is welcome.
Thank you everyone for helping us to keep the Lantern shining, and for continuing to be a part of the exciting future that lies ahead!
## **Martin Welsh – Chair of Trustees – Lantern Arts Centre**
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ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDING 31 August 2025 Company Limited by Guarantee Company No. 04556232 Charity No. 1098680
## **3. OPERATIONAL & ARTISTIC REPORTS**
## **Operational Report – Stephen Rees**
The Hub Opening hours have now been extended to include Saturday morning from five hours a day Monday to Friday plus three hours on Saturday mornings assisted with volunteers. Alongside serving as a local information centre, there are more low cost/free craft, games and exercise activities taking place on a regular basis. The Hub is also a place to visit for tea and a chat. This joint project between the Lantern Methodist Church (LMC) and LAC provides a safe space for local members of the community.
This year, the Lantern Arts Centre was able to use some of the funds to invest in the building. The kitchen by the studio theatre was refurbished including a new dishwasher. New LED lighting and smoke detectors were installed in the studio theatre in the foyer where the box office by the entrance is located and also in the studio theatre. A new conference speaker was purchased to allow Trustees to join meetings either in person or online. In addition, thanks to a donation a new upright piano was purchased for the studio theatre.
Donations from our regular Angels had fallen by around 2%. Without the financial grants and generous support we receive, delivering our extensive programme of events and activities would be far more challenging. We remain extremely grateful to all those involved in supporting our work.
## **Artistic Report – Amy Phillips**
The Autumn Term opened with two smaller productions written by some of our fantastic volunteers. Hey Kid, Hey Goat was written by Anna Cleden. An Evening of Ghost stories was a collection of extracts from plays and poem arranged by brothers James and Ed Hebbourn with music composed by Stephen Hall.
Beauty and the Beast written by Susie Pottinger was the usual Christmas pantomime. This included a large cast and crew with performers of all ages and abilities. This demonstrated our commitment to inclusivity programme with special pastoral support for cast members with additional needs. More than 1,000 tickets were sold over six performances.
The hand bells led by Sue Fuller produced their first ever concert in the sanctuary. As well as performing a number of pieces, there were other guest performances giving opportunities for other amateur musicians to participate.
Another first for the Arts Centre, Katie Lees, an opera singer, presented her show ‘Breathe’. This show featured a number of Arias which inspired her as she dealt with Cancer. A retiring collection at this show raised over £2,700 for Mesothelioma UK.
The Spring Production of Nell Gwynn written by Jessica Swale was a period drama included live musicians on stage.
The final show of the year was a musical, Sister Act included over 60 performers including a band of 12 and a choir of 14. All five shows were sold out and we even had a significant number at the preview night.
In In the Summer Term, Tim Vine performed for two nights to a sell out audience.
The Lantern Choir performed their usual three concerts including “The Armed Man” by Karl Jenkins.
As well as the usual classes, new additions were added including a Shakespeare workshop in the summer, the Lantern Writers class and an Inclusive Dance workshop.
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ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDING 31 August 2025 Company Limited by Guarantee Company No. 04556232 Charity No. 1098680
## **4. PURPOSES & ACTIVITIES**
As set out in the LAC Articles of Association updated in July 2013, the purposes of the Charity are to promote the advancement of the arts and culture for the benefit of the public, particularly but not exclusively within the Raynes Park community of Southwest London. Having a strong Christian ethos and working in a mutually beneficial partnership with the Lantern Methodist Church (formerly Raynes Park Methodist Church), the Charity seeks to include members of the local community of all ages and abilities. They participate as cast, crew and audience members in theatre, music, film, dance, exhibitions and other forms of artistic expression.
To achieve these objectives, the Charity’s activities include the following:
## **For Children & Young People**
Children love stories and **‘Once Upon a Storytime’** has become a firm favourite for local children and their parents. Led by our Artistic Director Amy Phillips, up to twenty young children are welcomed each week in term time and participate in captivating stories, beautifully read.
The Lantern **Children’s Theatre Club** has six age-tiered groups of around 100 participants for ages three to nineteen years old. Usually meeting weekly during term time, classes are designed for all children to feel safe, get involved, have fun, grow in confidence, develop independence and life skills whilst tackling key topics. Each group works towards an end of term performance for friends and family, and school holiday projects are a regular activity.
The Lantern Youth Choir continues to increase in number. This choir runs every Saturday morning covering a range of genres from favourite musicals to pop, rock and classical.
The Lantern Arts Centre’s fully inclusive policy means children with SEND and physical needs, or who are learning English, can take part. Families can also take advantage of the offer of bursaries.
The outlook for the club in the year ahead is very promising with a diverse programme of activities planned. As always, new participants will be welcome to join by our enthusiastic and supportive team aided by community volunteers.
## **For Lovers of Drama**
The Lantern Arts Centre’s main **house productions** and **studio performances** are keenly anticipated by the local community.
The Free Film Club, **Silver Screen** , continues to run a regular programme of films with around 40 people per screening. This popular and much needed activity has grown in numbers through word of mouth and connectivity as our marketing has increased. Attendees continue to express their appreciation for the Club.
Our long-standing **Costume Store** is run by a dedicated team of volunteers for main house productions and external hire. Offering carefully curated items from a keenly priced collection of more than ten thousand pieces, the team offers expert advice and guidance. The store continues to open every Tuesday and now has a paid manager.
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ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDING 31 August 2025 Company Limited by Guarantee Company No. 04556232 Charity No. 1098680
## **For Lovers of Music**
The **Lantern Community Choir** , our own in-house choir, rehearses on a weekly basis through-out term time and aims to give at least one performance each term. The concerts continue to attract audiences of 80 plus and the choir are now performing regularly with a band. They also sing at special events for the Lantern Methodist Church including the annual Christmas Carol Service.
The **Lantern Handbell Group** formed in 2017, is much loved by the players and audiences alike and continues to meet every Saturday morning.
The **Lantern Youth Choir** for children aged 13 to 16 continues to increase in numbers. The sessions are planned to be vibrant and fun Saturday morning sessions covering a range of genres from favourite musicals to pop, rock and classical. The Youth Choir provides opportunities to perform at Lantern events, develop vocal technique and make new friends.
Music continues to grow and flourish at the Arts Centre. For example, Dessert Lounge showcases diverse musical ability. Our regular house band accompanied musicals, pantomimes and choir concerts.
Use of A Capella singing in some of the CTC productions again showcases our younger members' musical talents, and we look forward to seeing them taking part in future productions at the Arts Centre.
## **For Lovers of Visual Art**
Using the modest first floor foyer space, the LAC has an established programme of art work by local artists each lasting about two months. Exhibitions have included a range of artists using varying styles and media. Through this, the LAC provides an opportunity to exhibit work either as a solo or joint show. No upfront charge is made but the LAC takes a modest percentage of any sales. As well as providing artists with an affordable venue to exhibit, it also enriches the overall life of the LAC by celebrating the visual arts alongside performance arts with which the LAC is usually associated.
## **For Lovers of Dance**
Swing Dance is a weekly dance class for adults hosted by two very experienced dancers teaching the fundamentals of the lively partnered dance which originated in 1920s in New York’s Harlem. Classes of up to 10 people learn authentic steps of Lindy Hop and Charleston.
## **For Visiting Groups using the Lantern Arts Centre**
The Lantern Arts Centre has two studios normally in regular use by many groups. These include theatre companies, dance troupes, orchestras, rehearsing for shows based both in London and around the UK. In addition, regular classes are held including ballet, street dance, swing dance, flamenco, yoga, zumba and pilates. These bring a considerable number of people to the Lantern Arts Centre who then become involved in our other events and activities.
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ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDING 31 August 2025 Company Limited by Guarantee Company No. 04556232 Charity No. 1098680
## **Our Volunteers**
The heart of the Lantern Arts Centre is the community it serves. It is from the community that so many people come to support what we do.
Today, more than fifty volunteers from across Southwest London are making an irreplaceable difference. They generously commit their time and skills to help run our busy community arts centre, and clearly relish the challenges. Many are involved in our theatre productions on stage, or by supporting the choreography and direction, or for musical production. Then there’s their contribution to technical delivery, including stage management, set construction, costuming, props, lighting, and sound. While behind the scenes our volunteers provide essential day in, day out support for building maintenance, marketing, fund raising and disability access.
The Trustees and staff are immensely grateful to everyone who is part of what we do and each year welcome new volunteers to join us as we grow. They are an essential part of making the Lantern Arts Centre what it is today and for its future development.
## **Feedback from our Community**
_“It makes a difference to every local resident. A place to be, ask and feel welcomed.”_
_“A warm and friendly hub as I struggle with my mental health having moved. It helps me to be motivated. A home from home place. I had a spring in my step.”_
_“Thank you for what you do for the community in Raynes Park. Please don’t stop what you are doing.”_
_“LOVED having a place and chance to make new friends. A local option that’s FREE, to meet new friends and build community.”_
_“This has really made such a big difference for me as I now feel more comfortable and confident with the help I now need to seek. Thank you for all your help…much appreciated.”_
_“Lovely to have a local community facility which welcomes all ages, cultures etc.”_
_“Makes me feel less isolated.”_
_“Fantastic space for community arts.”_
_“Ideal venue to host events with medium sized audience. Great acoustics and comfortable cushion chairs appropriate sized stage and good visibility from all angles!”_
_“Fantastic costume hire facility run by really helpful and friendly staff.”_
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ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDING 31 August 2025 Company Limited by Guarantee Company No. 04556232 Charity No. 1098680
## **5. STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT**
The Trustees are responsible for governance, compliance, strategy, risk management and setting headline objectives. To this end, Trustees receive regular updates, including full reports on activities and financial information and monthly management accounts. Business planning and strategic plans are discussed and agreed by the Trustees at Board meetings. The Trustees convene at least 6 times per year.
The Management Reference Group is a supporting committee for the Board, consisting of four Trustees, that meets annually at least three times. The purpose of the Management Reference Group is to ensure the adequate management of staff on behalf of the Board, including monitoring performance, and to oversee Trustee recruitment. To this end the Management Reference Group acts as the line management function for employed staff.
All Trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no benefits from the Charity.
Trustees are appointed by members of the Charity on an annual basis. There is no maximum length of time that a Trustee can serve, subject to an annual rotation of Trustees. On appointment Trustees sign a code of conduct and a register of interests, which is renewed annually.
When a Trustee retires from the Board a full recruitment process is overseen by the Management Reference Group, with appointments decided by the Board. Recruitment is undertaken on a skills basis, with skills gaps amongst existing Trustees identified and sought out within new Trustees. Trustees’ induction and ongoing involvement includes visits to the activities delivered by the Charity, engagement with company members, meetings with staff and volunteers and undertaking fundraising activities for the Charity.
To facilitate effective operations, the Trustees employ an Artistic Director and the services of an Operations Manager to whom they have delegated authority for the operational matters of the Charity. Working together, the Artistic Director and Operations Manager have responsibility for the management of all other employees, contractors and volunteers to ensure that the Charity’s activities are delivered and upheld against the plans and priorities of the Board. The charity continue to employ a Marketing & Arts Centre Assistant.
The Trustees retain and exercise their responsibility for setting pay for all employed posts and for the services of the Operations Manager. Pay is reviewed on an annual basis.
There are a number of risks and uncertainties that can impact on the performance of the Charity, some of which are beyond the control of Trustees.
The Trustees retain and exercise their responsibility to assess the major risks to which the Charity is exposed, in particular those related to its finances and operations and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to major risks.
Funds are raised principally through the Charity’s own classes, productions and lettings as well as individual donors, known as Friends, and local business support. The Charity is indebted to its supporters and in particular its Angels (regular givers) for the financial stability they offer. The Charity is committed to acting with honesty, integrity, respect and transparency with its donors. Its policy is not to use the services of professional fundraisers nor solicit funds directly from the public. No complaints were received in the year in relation to our fundraising activities.
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ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDING 31 August 2025 Company Limited by Guarantee Company No. 04556232 Charity No. 1098680
## **Trustees / Members**
Changes to the Board of Trustees that took place within the reporting period are identified below.
|Martin Welsh (Chair)|appointed as Trustee 14/05/2014 - Chairman since 2019|
|---|---|
|Patricia Rutter|appointed as Trustee 18/02/2009|
|Kay Wingate|appointed as Trustee 09/03/2013|
|Deacon Dawn Canham|appointed as Trustee 01/03/2019|
|Gwen Elliot|appointed as Trustee 11/09/2019|
|Nina Van Gessel|appointed as Trustee 11/09/2019|
|William Ostrom|appointed as Trustee 29/03/2022|
|Stephen Humphrys|appointed as Trustee 01/09/2022 – Treasurer|
|Tim Barrow|appointed as Trustee 11/09/2024|
|Sadie Cook|appointed as Trustee 11/09/2024|
|Dave King|appointed as Trustee 11/09/2024|
|Ben O’Hagan|appointed as Trustee 11/09/2024|
|James Hebbourn|appointed as Trustee 11/09/2019 – resigned 11/09/24|
|Alan Brown|appointed as Trustee 09/01/2008 – resigned 16/04/25|
|Michael Fuller (Secretary)|appointed as Trustee 24/06/2009 – resigned 16/04/25|
Patrons of the Lantern Arts Centre during the period were:
Fiona Castle, Tim Vine, Steve Price, Stephen Hammond, Michael Arthur MBE, Tim Boniface (Pastoral Patron), Alan Brown (Honorary Patron – May 2025), Mick Fuller (Honorary Patron – May 2025)
|**Company Registration Number**|04556232|
|---|---|
|**Registered Charity Number**|1098680|
|**Registered Office**|Tolverne Road, Raynes Park|
||London, SW20 8RA|
|**Secretary**|Michael Fuller|
|**Treasurer:**|Stephen Humphrys|
|**Bankers**|Co-Operative Bank plc|
||PO Box 101|
||1 Balloon Street|
||Manchester|
||M60 4EP|
|**Accountants since 01/09/2022**|Matthew Hunt|
||Digivolve Accountants|
||Delta House|
||Bridge Road|
||Haywards Heath|
||RH16 1UA|
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ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDING 31 August 2025 Company Limited by Guarantee Company No. 04556232 Charity No. 1098680
## **Public Benefit**
As a registered charity, the Lantern Arts Centre Trustees give close regard to their obligations to report the public benefit of its charitable purposes as defined by the Charities Act 2011. Our public benefit determines what it means for the LAC to be a charity, providing focus for the Charity’s objectives.
How the LAC serves the community is summarised throughout the report. Measuring the difference (impact) that the Charity makes is a focus for the future. In summary of the Charity’s purpose, the LAC:
- Carefully consider accessibility options for those on low incomes whether attending classes, events or productions
- Provide a wide range of opportunities for all age ranges to take part in arts activities and to explore their creative powers
- Develop young people in direction, creative and performance skills to foster their ambitions to progress to further education or employment
## **Related Parties**
Since its inception the LAC has had a close relationship with the Lantern Methodist Church (previously Raynes Park Methodist Church) from which it was founded. The church views the Arts Centre as an integral part of its outreach to the local community and at present three of the LAC Trustees are members of this church with two others in regular attendance.
The premises that the LAC occupies, form part of the Lantern Centre (owned by the Lantern Methodist Church). The parties occupying the Lantern Centre are the Lantern Methodist Church (LMC), Lantern Hub (HUB), Lantern Arts Centre (LAC) and Lantern Costume Store (LCS).
The LAC occupies its principal space under license to the church with the facility to use the main church area for large productions three times a year.
## **Internal Controls and Risk Management**
The Trustees have responsibility for ensuring that the Charity has in place an appropriate system of controls, financial or otherwise, to provide reasonable assurance that the Charity is operating effectively and in line with Charity Commission guidelines.
The systems of financial control were continually reviewed and improved where necessary during the year to provide reasonable assurance against material misstatement or loss.
An annual planning and budgeting process is in place and the Charity is developing a risk management plan, which will be regularly reviewed throughout the year. This identifies the most significant risks to the Charity, orders them by likelihood of occurrence and their impact, and indicates what action is in hand or is necessary to manage the risk. These include key areas such as Safeguarding, Health and Safety, Fire Safety and Data Protection.
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ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDING 31 August 2025 Company Limited by Guarantee Company No. 04556232 Charity No. 1098680
## **6. OBJECTIVES**
The Trustees have agreed the following objectives.
## **Objective 1:**
Maintain a high-quality programme by providing a community performance venue for the purposes of local artistic expression and skill development. This objective will be met by:
- Providing opportunities for the local community to take part in, in order to explore their own creativity and develop, learn and enhance skills related to all forms of art.
- Actively seeking out professional artists to perform or exhibit their work.
- Presenting and performing work which explores culturally relevant issues alongside family-friendly activities, events, and performances.
- Diversifying and increasing the breadth of our offer across the artistic spectrum with a focus on literature, art, music, dance, and comedy. This also includes expanding our digital and online offer.
- Nurturing talent within our local community by offering opportunities to amateur performers and also a range of local artists.
- Widening our team of directors and technical crew in order to become more sustainable, increase our income and enhance our ability to support more regular programming across a diverse range of culturally expressive performance and for income revenue.
## **Objective 2:**
Deliver a programme of accessible events and activities which reduce isolation and improve wellbeing in young people and adults in Raynes Park and the surrounding community. This objective will be met by:
- A programme which provides hands on, workshop-based opportunities for people at all skill levels to explore their own creativity in a safe environment.
- Offering an inclusive programme which pays particular attention to, and addresses the needs of, minority and disempowered groups.
- Supporting, and working in partnership with, grass roots community initiatives which aim to improve the lives of people in the local area.
- Developing and promoting our approach to inclusion, to ensure that all of our events and activities are accessible to people with a range of needs.
- Using arts engagement to improve the quality of life through arts engagement for those who would not normally be able to access the arts. This involves planning ahead in order to secure funding in time to offer subsidised places.
- Increasing our offer to young people by ensuring that activities are targeted and relevant.
- Ensuring financial accessibility across all of our programme so that access to the arts is not prohibited due to an individual’s financial status.
- Strengthening our long-term partnership with the Lantern Methodist Church through active collaboration in order to provide holistic pastoral support and to celebrate our rich Christian heritage.
## **Objective 3:**
Safeguard the Lantern Arts Centre so that the Charity can continue to serve the local community and meets its obligations of public benefit into the future. This objective will be met by:
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ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDING 31 August 2025 Company Limited by Guarantee Company No. 04556232 Charity No. 1098680
- Developing a 3 to 5-year strategy, alongside a robust risk register, in order to mitigate as far as possible against risks which will impact on the sustainability of the LAC.
- Diversifying our income through increasing our regular donors, our lettings provision and targeting applications for grant funding in line with the Charities objectives.
- Building up and maintaining the Charity's reserves at a robust level and investing in our technical and office infrastructure
- Securing a leasehold tenure from the Lantern Methodist Church on the core premises required by the LAC to undertake its regular activities.
- Developing our online and marketing strategy in order to increase our income.
- Building our volunteer base, seeking to draw in skills particularly in the areas of marketing and technical expertise.
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ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDING 31 August 2025 Company Limited by Guarantee Company No. 04556232 Charity No. 1098680
## **7. FINANCIAL REVIEW**
## **Overview**
The Charity's income for the year was £177,787 (2024: £174,955) against expenditure of £171,219 (2024: £162,278) leading to a surplus of £6,568 (2024: £12,677).
In a typical year, the LAC generates the majority of its income through donations and charitable activities, such as its productions and classes.
Expenditure increased by £8,941 compared to the previous year in line with increased activity along with increased running costs.
The Trustees proactively seek to develop a programme of activities that ensures the LAC continues to be accessible to wide audiences on a range of mediums throughout the year.
## **Reserves Policy**
The Trustees are committed to further stabilise the financial future of the LAC, particularly since past uncertain times. The purpose of the reserves policy is to mitigate against any risk to ongoing activities, which may be caused by an unforeseen increase in expenditure, incoming funds falling short of expectations or a temporary cash shortage due to the periodical nature of the LAC's activities.
The Trustees undertake an annual risk assessment to determine the level of reserves that need to be maintained. Reserves include restricted and unrestricted funds. Only the unrestricted funds can be used at the discretion of the Trustees, i.e. to address the above risks. The restricted funds may only be used for their specific purpose. Total fund balances carried forward are £86,354, made up of £1,105 of restricted funds and £85,249 of unrestricted funds.
It is the policy of the Trustees to maintain at least 6 months operating costs as unrestricted reserves to meet immediate commitments and to enable a timely reaction to any downturn in activities. The Trustees consider the level of reserves held at Year End to be reasonable.
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ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDING 31 August 2025 Company Limited by Guarantee Company No. 04556232 Charity No. 1098680
## **9. STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**
||||**Unrestricted**||**Restricted**||**2025**||**2024**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**Note**||**funds**||**Funds**||**Total**||**Total**|
||||**£**||**£**||**£**||**£**|
|**Incoming Resources**||||||||||
|**Incoming Resources fromgenerated funds**||||||||||
|Voluntaryincome:||||||||||
|Grants and donations|3||25,391||6,214||31,605||44,506|
|Other income|||0||0||0||847|
|Services to Lantern Centre|||0||0||0||0|
|Incoming
Resources
from
charitable
activities||||||||||
|Operation of theatre and arts centre|4||145,174||0||145,174||129,602|
|**Investment income**||||||||||
|Bank interest|||1,008||0||1,008||0|
|**Total Incoming Resources**|||**______**
**171,573**||**_____**
**6,214**||**______**
**177,787**||**______**
**174,955**|
|Resources Expended||||||||||
|**Costs ofgenerating funds:**||||||||||
|Fundraising costs of grants, donations and
events|5,7||42,797||0||42,797||40,240|
|**Charitable activities:**||||||||||
|Operation of theatre and centres|6,7||121,208||7,214||128,422||122,038|
|**Total Resources Expended**|||**_____**
**164,005**||**____**
**7,214**||**______**
**171,219**||**______**
**162,278**|
|Transfer Between Funds||||||||||
|**Net Movement In Funds**||||||||||
|Net Incoming/(Outgoing)Resources|||7,568||(1,000)||6,568||12,677|
|Total funds brought forward at 1 September
2024|||77,681||2,105||79,786||67,109|
|Restatement of reserves|||--||--||--||--|
|**Total funds carried forward at 31 August**
**2025**|||**_____**
**85,249**||**____**
**1,105**||**_____**
**86,354**||**_____**
**79,786**|
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All incoming resources and resources expended derive from continuing activities.
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ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDING 31 August 2025 Company Limited by Guarantee Company No. 04556232 Charity No. 1098680
## **BALANCE SHEET AT 31 AUGUST 2025**
|**BALANCE SHEET AT 31 AUGUST 2025**||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**Note**||**2025**||||**2024**|||
||||**£**||**£**||**£**||**£**|
|**Current Assets**||||||||||
|Other debtors|||3,787||||1,260|||
|Cash at bank and in hand|||90,087||||91,087|||
|Pre-payment|||0||||500|||
||||_____
93,874||||_____
92,847|||
|**Liabilities**||||||||||
|Creditors fallingdue within oneyear|8||7,520||||13,061|||
|Net Current Assets|||||||||79,786|
|**Total Assets Less Current Liabilities**|||||**_____**
**86,354**||||**_____**
**79,786**|
|**Accumulated Funds**||||||||||
|Restricted funds|11||1,105||||2,105|||
|Unrestricted funds|11||85,249||||77,681|||
|||||||||||
|Total charityfunds|||||_____
**86,354**||||_____
**79,786**|
## **Audit Exemption**
For the financial year in question the company was entitled to exemption under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
No members have required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.
The directors acknowledge their responsibility for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and for the preparation of accounts.
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime.
Approved by the Trustees following the meeting on 22.04.2026 and signed on their behalf by:
## **M Welsh Chairman of Trustees**
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##
##
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDING 31 August 2025 Company Limited by Guarantee Company No. 04556232 Charity No. 1098680
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**
## **1. Accounting Policies**
## **(a) Accounting basis and standards**
The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention and 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 applicable in the UK (FRS102)-Charities (SORP 2015) and the Companies Act 2006. The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the financial statements are set out below.
## **(b) Going Concern**
The Trustees consider that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. The level of reserves held at year end is sufficient to maintain basic office expenditures for a period of 6 —9 months. Ongoing and continuous contingency planning and risk management mean the LAC is well prepared to deal with adversities. The LAC receives a strong level of support from its "Angels" who donate on a regular basis as well as from its wider company who volunteer much of their time to support the activities. In addition, the Trustees have formed a new Fundraising subcommittee to work on further diversifying the LAC's income base. Accordingly, the financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis.
## **(c) Incoming Resources**
Voluntary income including donations, gifts and legacies and grants that provide core funding are of a general nature and are recognised where there is entitlement, certainty of receipt and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability. Such income is only deferred when:
The donor specifies that the grant or donation must only be used in future accounting periods; or the donor has imposed conditions which must be met before the charity has unconditional entitlement.
Income from commercial trading activities is recognised as earned (as the related goods and services are provided). Income from charitable activities includes income received under contract or where entitlement to grant funding is subject to specific performance conditions is recognised as earned (as the related goods or services are provided).
Grant income included in this category provides funding to support performance activities and is recognised where there is entitlement, certainty of receipt and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability. Income is deferred when; Admission fees or performance related grants are received in advance of the performances or events to which they relate.
## **(d) Resources expended**
Expenditure is recognised when a liability is incurred. Contractual arrangements and performance related grants are recognised as goods or services are supplied. Other grant payments are recognised when a constructive obligation arises that result in the payment being unavoidable.
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ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDING 31 August 2025 Company Limited by Guarantee Company No. 04556232 Charity No. 1098680
Costs of generating funds are those costs incurred in attracting voluntary income, and those incurred in trading activities that raise funds. Charitable activities include expenditure associated with the staging of concerts, stage production, art exhibitions and educational programmes and include both the direct costs and support costs relating to these activities.
Governance costs include those incurred in the governance of the charity and its assets and are primarily associated with constitutional and statutory requirements. Support costs include central functions and have been allocated to activity cost categories on a basis consistent with the use of resources, e.g. allocating property costs by floor areas, or per capita, staff costs by the time spent and other costs by their usage.
## ( **e) Irrecoverable VAT**
All resources expended are classified under activity headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Irrecoverable VAT is charged against the category of resources expended for which it was incurred.
## **(f) Fund accounting**
Funds held by the charity are either:-
Unrestricted General Funds - This can be used in accordance with the charitable objects at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted Funds- which may 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.
## **(g) Debtors**
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
## **(h) Cash at bank and in hand**
Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments.
## ( **i) Creditors**
Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount can be measured or estimated reliably.
## **2. Constitution**
The company is limited by guarantee and does not have a share capital. Every member of the company undertakes to contribute to the assets of the company in the event of it being wound up while he or she is a member, or within one year after he or she ceases to be a member, for the payment of the debts and liabilities contracted before he or she ceased to be a member, such amount as may be required, not exceeding £10.
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ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDING 31 August 2025 Company Limited by Guarantee Company No. 04556232 Charity No. 1098680
## **3. Voluntary Income**
||**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|**Total**|
|---|---|---|---|
||**Funds**|**Funds**|**2025**|
||**£**|**£**|**£**|
|Grants|0|6,214|6,214|
|Donations|18,332|0|18,332|
|Gift Aid|7,059|0|7,059|
|FundraisingActivities|0|0|0|
||____
25,391|_____
6,214|_____
31,605|
## **Prior Year Comparative (2024)**
||**Unrestricted**||**Restricted**|**Total**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||**Funds**||**Funds**|**2024**|
||**£**||**£**|**£**|
|Grants|0||9,183|9,183|
|Donations|22,609||2,105|24,714|
|Gift Aid|10,609||0|10,609|
|FundraisingActivities|0||0|0|
||____
33,218||_____
11,288|_____
44,506|
## **4. Incoming resources from charitable activities**
||**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|**Total**|
|---|---|---|---|
||**Funds**|**Funds**|**2024**|
||**£**|**£**|**£**|
|Classes|54,354|0|54,354|
|Productions|60,178|0|60,178|
|Lettings|27,716|0|27,716|
|Other|2,926|0|2,926|
||_____
145,174|_
0|_____
145,174|
## **Prior Year Comparative (2024)**
||Unrestricted|Restricted|Total|
|---|---|---|---|
||Funds|Funds|2024|
||£|£|£|
|Classes|53,176|0|53,176|
|Productions|45,724|0|45,724|
|Lettings|28,366|0|28,366|
|Other|2,336|0|2,336|
||_____
129,602|_
0|_____
129,602|
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ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDING 31 August 2025 Company Limited by Guarantee Company No. 04556232 Charity No. 1098680
## **5. Analysis of expenditure on costs of generating funds**
|Activity or Programme|Activities
Undertaken
Directly|Support Costs|Total
2025|
|---|---|---|---|
||£|£|£|
|Fundraising|3,555|39,243|42,797|
|Prior Year Comparative(2024)|Prior Year Comparative(2024)|||
|---|---|---|---|
|Activity or Programme|Activities
Undertaken
Directly|Support Costs|Total
2024|
||£|£|£|
|Fundraising|2,438|37,802|40,240|
## **6. Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities**
The charity allocates its support costs between the three activities undertaken as shown in the table below. Support costs are allocated on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
|**Activity or Programme**|**Activities**
**Undertaken**
**Directly**|**Support Costs**|**Total**
**2025**|
|---|---|---|---|
||**£**|**£**|**£**|
|Classes|24,960|23,121|48,082|
|Productions|27,635|25,599|53,234|
|Lettings|12,728|11,790|24,518|
|Other|1,344|1,245|2,588|
|**Total**|**66,667**|**61,755**|**128,423**|
|**Prior Year Comparative(2024)**|**Prior Year Comparative(2024)**|||
|---|---|---|---|
|**Activity or Programme**|**Activities**
**Undertaken**
**Directly**|**Support Costs**|**Total**
**2024**|
||**£**|**£**|**£**|
|Classes|24,924|25,148|50,071|
|Productions|21,431|21,624|43,055|
|Lettings|13,296|13,415|26,710|
|Other|1,095|1,105|2,200|
|**Total**|**60,746**|**61,292**|**122,038**|
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ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDING 31 August 2025 Company Limited by Guarantee Company No. 04556232 Charity No. 1098680
## **7. Analysis of Support Costs**
|**Analysis of Support Costs**|||
|---|---|---|
||**Total**|**Total**|
||**2025**|**2024**|
||**£**|**£**|
|Contractor Fees|22,680|19,895|
|Salaries|43,713|45,332|
|Advertising& Promotions|1,754|2,260|
|Office Costs|14,602|17,198|
|Printing,Postage & Stationery|2,919|2,553|
|Refreshments|1,514|1,624|
|AccountancyFees|1,020|1,080|
|Professional Fees|||
|Bank Charges|2,164|1,800|
|Insurance|1,634|0|
|Centre Costs|8,998|7,351|
|SundryExpenses|0|0|
||**100,998**|**99,093**|
During the year, no Trustee received remuneration for their services as Trustee (2024-£Nil)
During the year, no Trustees received any benefits in kind (2024-£Nil). During the year, no Trustees received any expenses. (2024-£Nil).
## **8. Creditors**
||**Total**|**Total**|
|---|---|---|
||**2025**|**2024**|
||**£**|**£**|
|Wages Payable|0|0|
|Taxes|258|901|
|Pension Control account|272|133|
|Trade Creditors|3,895|1,487|
|Deferred Income|3,095|10,540|
|Total|7,520|13,061|
**9. Support Staff**
|**upport Staff**|||
|---|---|---|
||**Total**|**Total**|
||**2025**|**2024**|
||**£**|**£**|
|Wages and Salaries|42,935|44,415|
|Social Security|0|0|
|Pension Costs|778|917|
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ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDING 31 August 2025 Company Limited by Guarantee Company No. 04556232 Charity No. 1098680
## **The average monthly number of employees during the year was:**
|administration|**2025**|**2024**|
|---|---|---|
||**Number**|**Number**|
||3|3|
During the year, no employee was paid a salary above **£** 60,000 in 2025 (2024- **£** Nil). Key management personnel
comprise of the Trustees. No remuneration was paid to the Trustees. Employment Allowance has been claimed in full.
## **10. Related Parties**
Rent of £18,252 was paid to the Lantern Methodist Church. £8,998 was contributed towards maintaining and improving the LMC building.
## **11. Analysis of Charitable Funds**
Analysis of unrestricted fund movements
||**Balance**
**at**
**September**
**2024**|**Incoming**
**resources**|**Resources**
**expended**|**(to)/from**
**Reserves**
**funds**|**Fund at 31**
**August**
**2025**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
|General Fund|77,681|171,573|164,005|0|85,249|
|Analysis of restricted fund movements||||||
||**Balance**
**at**
**September**
**2024**|**Incoming**
**resources**|**Resources**
**expended**|**(to)/from**
**Reserves**
**funds**|**Fund at 31**
**August**
**2025**|
||£|£|£|£|£|
|Performance
Grant|0|6,214|6,214|0|0|
|Other|2,105|0|1,000|0|1,105|
|Total|2,105|0|7,214|0|1,105|
Analysis of restricted fund movements
Restricted funds represent grants or donations given to perform or support the expenditure in specific productions or work in the theatrical field. Restricted funds reported in 2023/2024 were £6,103; this has been restated to £nil due to incorrect categorisation in the prior year. Comparative opening balances have been restated accordingly, with £6,103 reclassified from restricted to unrestricted funds.
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ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDING 31 August 2025 Company Limited by Guarantee Company No. 04556232 Charity No. 1098680
## **10. INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE LANTERN ARTS CENTRE**
I report on the accounts of the company for the year ended 31 August 2025, which are set out on pages 13 to 20.
## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner**
The trustees (who are also the directors of the company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
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 section 145 of the 2011 Act; to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 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 trustees 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 section 386 of the Companies Act 2006, and
- to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records, comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 and with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities
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.
Matthew Hunt (FMAAT) Digivolve Accountants Delta House Haywards Heath West Sussex RH16 1UA
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