01 05 2024 30 04 2025 **From To** 

## **Trustees' Annual Report for the period** 

Period start date 

Period end date 

## Reference and administration details ~~ee~~ 

**Charity name** NCBF 

**Other names charity is known by** National Concert Band Festival 

**Registered charity number (if any)** 1111790 ~~Po~~ **Charity's principal address** 6 Colehurst Croft Monkspath Solihull **Postcode B90 4XQ** 

**Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity** 

**Dates acted if not for whole Trustee name Office (if any)** ~~a~~ **year r to appointintt trusteerusteeustee** 1 Duncan Joseph George Chair Stubbs ~~es es ns~~ 2 Kevin Cooke Business Manager ~~es~~ 3 Barrie Christopher Deputy Chairman Johnson ~~es es ns~~ 4 Jayne Elizabeth Allen ~~es~~ 5 Simon Platford ~~ee~~ 6 Olivia Wild ~~es~~ 7 ~~ee~~ 8 ~~es ns~~ 9 ~~es~~ 10 ~~es rs~~ 11 ~~ee ee~~ 12 ~~es ns~~ 13 ~~ee~~ 14 ~~es~~ 15 ~~ee~~ 16 ~~es~~ 17 ~~ee~~ 18 ~~es~~ 19 ~~ee~~ 20 ~~es rs~~ **Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees)** 

**Dates acted if not for whole Name of person (or body) entitled year r to appointintt trusteerusteeustee (if any)** 

**Name Dates acted if not for whole year** 

**February 2026** 

**TAR** 

1 

## **Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)** 

|**Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)**|**Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)**|**Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)**|
|---|---|---|
|**Type of advisor**<br>**Name**<br>**Address**|||
|**Accountant**|David Evans|1 Kirton Grove, Solihull, B91 3NW|
||||
||||
||||
|**Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)**|||
||||



## **Structure, governance and management** 

## **Description of the charity’s trusts** 

Type of governing document 

Trust Deed 

- (eg. trust deed, constitution) 

Company – Limited by Guarantee No. 05315734 How the charity is constituted 

- (eg. trust, association, company) 

Trustee selection methods 

Appointed by Trustees 

- (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 charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works. 

- Relationship with any related parties. 

- Trustees’ consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them. 

## **Objectives and activities** 

**February 2026** 

**TAR** 

2 

## The Trust Objectives and Purposes 

To advance the education of the public in the appreciation of band music and in particular the education and training of people in the playing of band instruments by:- **Summary of the objects of the** • Promoting and encouraging the performance and presentation of **charity set out in its** music, particularly ensembles; **governing document** • Raising awareness of standards in music making in all its aspects; • The development of musical repertoire particularly for ensembles; • Providing training opportunities in musicianship, including conducting, composition and arrangement; and • Organising and promoting festivals and events at which music ensembles can perform, receive critical appraisal, encouragement and training. 

The provision of several Regional festivals with 4 levels of noncompetitive awards. Ensembles with a platinum award are invited to **Summary of the main** perform at the National Festival held each year. **activities in relation to these objects** 

## **Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)** 

In planning our activities for the year we kept in mind the Charity You **may choose** to include Commissions guidance on Public Benefit at our Trustees meetings. further statements, where relevant, about: 

- Policy on grantmaking 

- Policy  programme related investment 

- Contribution made by Volunteers 

## Achievements and performance 

**February 2026** 

**TAR** 

3 

## Achievements and performance 

Covid continues to reduce the number of bands taking part compared to **Summary of the main** pre-covid levels. **achievements of the charity during the year** Regional festivals were held in Warwick, Northampton, Croydon, Oldham, Romsey, and Glasgow. We received good support from bands. Numbers were still below that of pre-covid but bands that took place were glad to be back. As before those bands achieving the higher awards were invited to the National Festival held at Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester in April 2025. We were also recipients of an Arts Council Grant to further our work and to support the National Festival costs. This was a three year project (extended to four years) to include, NCBF at Home – a workshop by a specialist mentor at the bands own rehearsal venue, NCBF Youth Ambassadors - to allow a youth platform to input new ideas and feedback into the development of NCBF, NCBF Young Composers – to give opportunities to young composers (under 30 years) to develop skills writing for wind band and/or big bands, The focus of our activities remains that of providing a high quality performance venue for bands and players at all ages to instil an on-going benefit to ensure that players continue to play their instruments well into their later life. NCBF firmly believe that adjudications of bands performances should be adjudicated by adjudicators who specialise in the field of the performance, ie Wind Band or Big Band and use a criteria sheet to gauge the level of performance. There are no winners, just bands who can read the adjudication sheet and use the information to progress in the future. This benefits all players to develop their self-confidence and social skills leading to life skills. 

## **Financial review** 

All reserves are used to further the effectiveness of the festivals held. **Brief statement of the charity’s policy on reserves Details of any funds materially** None **in deficit** 

**Further financial review details (Optional information)** 

**February 2026** 

**TAR** 

4 

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. 

## **Other optional information** 

## **Declaration** 

**The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.** 

**Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees** 

**Signature(s) Full name(s)** Kevin Cooke **Position (eg secretary, chair,** Business Manager/Trustee **etc) Date** 13th February 2026 

**February 2026** 

**TAR** 

5 

Company registration number: 05315734 Charity registration number: 1111790 

## NCBF 

(A company limited by guarantee) Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 April 2025 

DAVID J EVANS LTD Radcliffe House Blenheim Court Warwick Road Solihull B91 2AA 

## **NCBF** 

## **Contents** 

|Reference and Administrative Details|1|
|---|---|
|Trustees' Report|2|
|Independent Examiner's Report|3|
|Statement of Financial Activities|4|
|Balance Sheet|5|
|Notes to the Financial Statements|6 to 11|



## **NCBF** 

## **Reference and Administrative Details** 

Duncan Joseph George STUBBS 

**Chairman** Duncan Joseph George STUBBS **Trustees** Kevin COOKE Barrie Christopher JOHNSON Jayne Elizabeth ALLEN Simon PLATFORD Olivia Leigh WILD Duncan Joseph George STUBBS **Secretary** Kevin COOKE **Registered Office** 6 Colehurst Croft Monkspath Solihull West Midlands B90 4XQ **Company Registration Number** 05315734 **Charity Registration Number** 1111790 **Independent Examiner** DAVID J EVANS LTD Radcliffe House Blenheim Court Warwick Road Solihull B91 2AA 

Page 1 

## **NCBF** 

## **Trustees' Report** 

The trustees, who are directors for the purposes of company law, present the annual report together with the financial statements of the charitable company for the year ended 30 April 2025. 

## **Objectives and activities** 

## _**Public benefit**_ 

To advance the education of the public in the appreciation of band music and in particular the education and training of people in the playing of band instruments by: 

a) Promoting and encouraging the performance and presentation of music, particularly ensembles b) Raising awareness of standards in music making in all its aspects c) Providing training opportunities in musicianship, including conducting,composition and arrangement and 

d) Organising and promoting festivals and events at which music ensembles can perform, receive critical appraisal, encouragement and training. 

The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales. 

## **Small companies provision statement** 

This report has been prepared in accordance with the small companies regime under the Companies Act 2006. 

The annual report was approved by the trustees of the charity on 8 December 2025 and signed on its behalf by: 

Kevin Cooke ~~............................~~ Kevin Cooke (Dec 7, 2025 10:58:39 GMT) ............. Kevin COOKE Company secretary and trustee 

Page 2 

## **NCBF** 

## **Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of NCBF ('the Company')** 

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 30 April 2025. 

## **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** 

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 NCBF 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. 

...................................... David Evans ws David J Evans Ltd 

Radcliffe House Blenheim Court Warwick Road Solihull B91 2AA 

8 December 2025 

Page 3 

## **NCBF** 

## **Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 30 April 2025 (Including Income and Expenditure Account and Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses)** 

|**Note**<br>**Income from:**<br>Donations<br>3<br>Charitable activities<br>4<br>Total income<br>**Expenditure on:**<br>Charitable activities &<br>Governance costs<br>5<br>Total expenditure<br>Net income<br>Net movement in funds<br>**Reconciliation of funds**<br>Total funds brought forward<br>Total funds carried forward<br>12|**Unrestricted**<br>**£**<br>11,796<br>29,841<br>41,637<br>(40,158)<br>(40,158)<br>1,479<br>1,479<br>14,250<br>15,729|**Restricted**<br>**£**<br>-<br>5,605<br>5,605<br>(5,605)<br>(5,605)<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-|**Total**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>11,796<br>35,446<br>47,242<br>(45,763)<br>(45,763)<br>1,479<br>1,479<br>14,250<br>15,729|**Total**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>5,500<br>45,470|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||50,970|
|||||(43,968)|
|||||(43,968)|
|||||7,002|
|||||7,002<br>7,248|
|||||14,250|



All of the charity's activities derive from continuing operations during the above two periods. The funds breakdown for 2024 is shown in note 12. 

The notes on pages 6 to 11 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 4 

## **NCBF** 

## **(Registration number: 05315734) Balance Sheet as at 30 April 2025** 

|**Note**<br>**Fixed assets**<br>Tangible assets<br>7<br>Investments<br>8<br>**Current assets**<br>Debtors<br>9<br>Cash at bank and in hand<br>10<br>**Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year**<br>11<br>**Net current assets**<br>**Net assets**<br>**Funds of the charity:**<br>**Unrestricted income funds**<br>Unrestricted funds<br>**Total funds**<br>12|**2025**<br>**£**<br>334<br>1<br>335<br>2,743<br>27,069<br>29,812<br>(14,418)<br>15,394<br>15,729<br>15,729<br>15,729|**2024**<br>**£**<br>667<br>1|
|---|---|---|
|||668|
|||-<br>33,605|
|||33,605<br>(20,023)|
|||13,582|
|||14,250|
|||14,250|
|||14,250|



For the financial year ending 30 April 2025 the charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. 

Directors' responsibilities: 

- The members have not required the charity to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476; and 

- The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts. 

The financial statements on pages 4 to 11 were approved by the trustees, and authorised for issue on 8 December 2025 and signed on their behalf by: 

Kevin Cooke ~~............................~~ Kevin Cooke (Dec 7, 2025 10:58:39 GMT) ............. Kevin COOKE Company secretary and trustee 

The notes on pages 6 to 11 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 5 

## **NCBF** 

## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 April 2025** 

## **1 Charity status** 

The charity is limited by guarantee,, and consequently does not have share capital. Each of the trustees is liable to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 towards the assets of the charity in the event of liquidation. 

The address of its registered office is: 6 Colehurst Croft Monkspath Solihull West Midlands B90 4XQ 

These financial statements were authorised for issue by the trustees on 8 December 2025. 

## **2 Accounting policies** 

## **Summary of significant accounting policies and key accounting estimates** 

The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated. 

## **Statement of compliance** 

The financial statements have been prepared 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 and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)) (issued in October 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006. 

## **Basis of preparation** 

NCBF meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes. 

## **Going concern** 

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern nor any significant areas of uncertainty that affect the carrying value of assets held by the charity. 

## **Income and endowments** 

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

## **Expenditure** 

All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, it is probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate similar costs to that category. . 

Page 6 

## **NCBF** 

## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 April 2025** 

## _**Raising funds**_ 

These are costs incurred in attracting voluntary income. 

## _**Charitable activities**_ 

Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them. 

## **Taxation** 

The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes. 

## **Tangible fixed assets** 

Individual fixed assets costing £500 or more are initially recorded at cost, less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses. 

## **Depreciation and amortisation** 

Depreciation is provided on tangible fixed assets so as to write off the cost or valuation, less any estimated residual value, over their expected useful economic life as follows: 

## **Asset class** 

Equipment 

**Depreciation method and rate** Straight line, 25% 

## **Fixed asset investments** 

Fixed asset investments, other than programme related investments, are included at market value at the balance sheet date. 

## **Trade debtors** 

Trade debtors are amounts due from customers for merchandise sold or services performed in the ordinary course of business. 

Trade debtors are recognised initially at the transaction price. They are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less provision for impairment. A provision for the impairment of trade debtors is established when there is objective evidence that the charity will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the receivables. 

## **Cash and cash equivalents** 

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value. 

Page 7 

## **NCBF** 

## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 April 2025** 

## **Fund structure** 

Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity. 

## **3 Income from donations** 

|Capital donations|**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**General**<br>**£**<br>11,796<br>11,796|**Total**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>11,796<br>11,796|**Total**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>5,500|
|---|---|---|---|
||||5,500|



## **4 Income from charitable activities** 

|Appeals and donations<br>Ticket sales<br>Participation fees<br>Trade stand income<br>Income - Play days<br>Interest on cash deposits<br>Arts Council Funding|**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**General**<br>**£**<br>-<br>5,483<br>19,800<br>3,266<br>1,231<br>61<br>-<br>29,841|**Restricted**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>5,605<br>5,605|**Total**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>-<br>5,483<br>19,800<br>3,266<br>1,231<br>61<br>5,605<br>35,446|**Total**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>2,171<br>7,922<br>21,103<br>5,635<br>1,108<br>60<br>7,471|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||45,470|



Page 8 

## **NCBF** 

## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 April 2025** 

## **5 Expenditure on charitable activities** 

|**Note**<br>Venue hire<br>Adjudicator fees<br>Volunteers<br>expenses<br>Play day expenses<br>Organiser's fees<br>Staff training<br>Insurance<br>Website<br>maintenance<br>Printing, postage<br>and stationery<br>Trade subscriptions<br>Independent<br>examiner's fee<br>Business<br>Manager's fees<br>Partnership<br>Coordinator<br>expenses<br>Bank charges<br>Depreciation of<br>equipment<br>Organiser's fees<br>Website<br>maintenance<br>Business<br>Manager's fees<br>Partnership<br>coordinator<br>ACE - Bursaries|**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**General**<br>**£**<br>7,478<br>5,039<br>17,454<br>900<br>6,000<br>10<br>350<br>50<br>1,388<br>353<br>216<br>-<br>521<br>66<br>333<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>40,158|**Restricted**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>167<br>300<br>333<br>2,154<br>2,651<br>5,605|**Total**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>7,478<br>5,039<br>17,454<br>900<br>6,000<br>10<br>350<br>50<br>1,388<br>353<br>216<br>-<br>521<br>66<br>333<br>167<br>300<br>333<br>2,154<br>2,651<br>45,763|**Total**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>5,626<br>6,011<br>12,413<br>590<br>6,000<br>260<br>735<br>704<br>1,469<br>562<br>216<br>1,500<br>-<br>78<br>333<br>500<br>900<br>1,000<br>5,071<br>-|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||43,968|



Page 9 

## **NCBF** 

## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 April 2025** 

## **6 Taxation** 

The charity is a registered charity and is therefore exempt from taxation. 

## **7 Tangible fixed assets** 

|**7**<br>**Tangible fixed assets**|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|**Cost**<br>At 1 May 2024<br>At 30 April 2025<br>**Depreciation**<br>At 1 May 2024<br>Charge for the year<br>At 30 April 2025<br>**Net book value**<br>At 30 April 2025<br>At 30 April 2024<br>**8**<br>**Fixed asset investments**<br>Investment - NCBF title<br>**9**<br>**Debtors**<br>Prepayments<br>**10 Cash and cash equivalents**<br>Cash at bank||**Furniture and**<br>**equipment**<br>**£**<br>2,820<br>2,820<br>2,153<br>333<br>2,486<br>334<br>667<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>1<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>27,069||**Total**<br>**£**<br>2,820<br>2,820<br>2,153<br>333<br>2,486<br>334<br>667<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>1|
|||2,820|||
|||2,153<br>333|||
|||2,486|||
|||334|||
|||667|||
|||**2025**<br>**£**<br>1<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>27,069|||
|||||**2025**<br>**£**<br>2,743|
|||||**2024**<br>**£**<br>33,605|



## **11 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year** 

Page 10 

## **NCBF** 

## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 April 2025** 

|Other creditors<br>Accruals<br>**12 Funds**<br>**Balance at 1**<br>**May 2024**<br>**£**<br>**Unrestricted funds**<br>General<br>14,250<br>**Restricted funds**<br>-<br>**Total funds**<br>14,250<br>**13 Analysis of net assets between funds**<br>Tangible fixed assets<br>Fixed asset investments<br>Current assets<br>Current liabilities<br>Total net assets|**Incoming**<br>**resources**<br>**£**<br>34,862<br>5,605<br>40,467<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**General**<br>**£**<br>334<br>1<br>12,881<br>-<br>13,216|**2025**<br>**£**<br>11,675<br>2,743<br>14,418<br>**Resources**<br>**expended**<br>**£**<br>(33,383)<br>(5,605)<br>(38,988)<br>**Restricted**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>-<br>-<br>16,931<br>(14,418)<br>2,513|**2024**<br>**£**<br>17,280<br>2,743|
|---|---|---|---|
||||20,023|
||||**Balance at 30**<br>**April 2025**<br>**£**<br>15,729<br>-|
||||15,729|
||||**Total funds**<br>**at 30 April**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>334<br>1<br>29,812<br>(14,418)|
||||15,729|



Page 11 

Company registration number: 05315734 Charity registration number: 1111790 

## NCBF 

(A company limited by guarantee) Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 April 2025 

DAVID J EVANS LTD Radcliffe House Blenheim Court Warwick Road Solihull B91 2AA 

## **NCBF** 

## **Contents** 

|Reference and Administrative Details|1|
|---|---|
|Trustees' Report|2|
|Independent Examiner's Report|3|
|Statement of Financial Activities|4|
|Balance Sheet|5|
|Notes to the Financial Statements|6 to 11|



## **NCBF** 

## **Reference and Administrative Details** 

Duncan Joseph George STUBBS 

**Chairman** Duncan Joseph George STUBBS **Trustees** Kevin COOKE Barrie Christopher JOHNSON Jayne Elizabeth ALLEN Simon PLATFORD Olivia Leigh WILD Duncan Joseph George STUBBS **Secretary** Kevin COOKE **Registered Office** 6 Colehurst Croft Monkspath Solihull West Midlands B90 4XQ **Company Registration Number** 05315734 **Charity Registration Number** 1111790 **Independent Examiner** DAVID J EVANS LTD Radcliffe House Blenheim Court Warwick Road Solihull B91 2AA 

Page 1 

## **NCBF** 

## **Trustees' Report** 

The trustees, who are directors for the purposes of company law, present the annual report together with the financial statements of the charitable company for the year ended 30 April 2025. 

## **Objectives and activities** 

## _**Public benefit**_ 

To advance the education of the public in the appreciation of band music and in particular the education and training of people in the playing of band instruments by: 

a) Promoting and encouraging the performance and presentation of music, particularly ensembles b) Raising awareness of standards in music making in all its aspects c) Providing training opportunities in musicianship, including conducting,composition and arrangement and 

d) Organising and promoting festivals and events at which music ensembles can perform, receive critical appraisal, encouragement and training. 

The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales. 

## **Small companies provision statement** 

This report has been prepared in accordance with the small companies regime under the Companies Act 2006. 

The annual report was approved by the trustees of the charity on 8 December 2025 and signed on its behalf by: 

Kevin Cooke ~~............................~~ Kevin Cooke (Dec 7, 2025 10:58:39 GMT) ............. Kevin COOKE Company secretary and trustee 

Page 2 

## **NCBF** 

## **Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of NCBF ('the Company')** 

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 30 April 2025. 

## **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** 

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 NCBF 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. 

...................................... David Evans ws David J Evans Ltd 

Radcliffe House Blenheim Court Warwick Road Solihull B91 2AA 

8 December 2025 

Page 3 

## **NCBF** 

## **Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 30 April 2025 (Including Income and Expenditure Account and Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses)** 

|**Note**<br>**Income from:**<br>Donations<br>3<br>Charitable activities<br>4<br>Total income<br>**Expenditure on:**<br>Charitable activities &<br>Governance costs<br>5<br>Total expenditure<br>Net income<br>Net movement in funds<br>**Reconciliation of funds**<br>Total funds brought forward<br>Total funds carried forward<br>12|**Unrestricted**<br>**£**<br>11,796<br>29,841<br>41,637<br>(40,158)<br>(40,158)<br>1,479<br>1,479<br>14,250<br>15,729|**Restricted**<br>**£**<br>-<br>5,605<br>5,605<br>(5,605)<br>(5,605)<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-|**Total**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>11,796<br>35,446<br>47,242<br>(45,763)<br>(45,763)<br>1,479<br>1,479<br>14,250<br>15,729|**Total**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>5,500<br>45,470|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||50,970|
|||||(43,968)|
|||||(43,968)|
|||||7,002|
|||||7,002<br>7,248|
|||||14,250|



All of the charity's activities derive from continuing operations during the above two periods. The funds breakdown for 2024 is shown in note 12. 

The notes on pages 6 to 11 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 4 

## **NCBF** 

## **(Registration number: 05315734) Balance Sheet as at 30 April 2025** 

|**Note**<br>**Fixed assets**<br>Tangible assets<br>7<br>Investments<br>8<br>**Current assets**<br>Debtors<br>9<br>Cash at bank and in hand<br>10<br>**Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year**<br>11<br>**Net current assets**<br>**Net assets**<br>**Funds of the charity:**<br>**Unrestricted income funds**<br>Unrestricted funds<br>**Total funds**<br>12|**2025**<br>**£**<br>334<br>1<br>335<br>2,743<br>27,069<br>29,812<br>(14,418)<br>15,394<br>15,729<br>15,729<br>15,729|**2024**<br>**£**<br>667<br>1|
|---|---|---|
|||668|
|||-<br>33,605|
|||33,605<br>(20,023)|
|||13,582|
|||14,250|
|||14,250|
|||14,250|



For the financial year ending 30 April 2025 the charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. 

Directors' responsibilities: 

- The members have not required the charity to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476; and 

- The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts. 

The financial statements on pages 4 to 11 were approved by the trustees, and authorised for issue on 8 December 2025 and signed on their behalf by: 

Kevin Cooke ~~............................~~ Kevin Cooke (Dec 7, 2025 10:58:39 GMT) ............. Kevin COOKE Company secretary and trustee 

The notes on pages 6 to 11 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 5 

## **NCBF** 

## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 April 2025** 

## **1 Charity status** 

The charity is limited by guarantee,, and consequently does not have share capital. Each of the trustees is liable to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 towards the assets of the charity in the event of liquidation. 

The address of its registered office is: 6 Colehurst Croft Monkspath Solihull West Midlands B90 4XQ 

These financial statements were authorised for issue by the trustees on 8 December 2025. 

## **2 Accounting policies** 

## **Summary of significant accounting policies and key accounting estimates** 

The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated. 

## **Statement of compliance** 

The financial statements have been prepared 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 and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)) (issued in October 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006. 

## **Basis of preparation** 

NCBF meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes. 

## **Going concern** 

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern nor any significant areas of uncertainty that affect the carrying value of assets held by the charity. 

## **Income and endowments** 

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

## **Expenditure** 

All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, it is probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate similar costs to that category. . 

Page 6 

## **NCBF** 

## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 April 2025** 

## _**Raising funds**_ 

These are costs incurred in attracting voluntary income. 

## _**Charitable activities**_ 

Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them. 

## **Taxation** 

The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes. 

## **Tangible fixed assets** 

Individual fixed assets costing £500 or more are initially recorded at cost, less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses. 

## **Depreciation and amortisation** 

Depreciation is provided on tangible fixed assets so as to write off the cost or valuation, less any estimated residual value, over their expected useful economic life as follows: 

## **Asset class** 

Equipment 

**Depreciation method and rate** Straight line, 25% 

## **Fixed asset investments** 

Fixed asset investments, other than programme related investments, are included at market value at the balance sheet date. 

## **Trade debtors** 

Trade debtors are amounts due from customers for merchandise sold or services performed in the ordinary course of business. 

Trade debtors are recognised initially at the transaction price. They are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less provision for impairment. A provision for the impairment of trade debtors is established when there is objective evidence that the charity will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the receivables. 

## **Cash and cash equivalents** 

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value. 

Page 7 

## **NCBF** 

## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 April 2025** 

## **Fund structure** 

Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity. 

## **3 Income from donations** 

|Capital donations|**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**General**<br>**£**<br>11,796<br>11,796|**Total**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>11,796<br>11,796|**Total**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>5,500|
|---|---|---|---|
||||5,500|



## **4 Income from charitable activities** 

|Appeals and donations<br>Ticket sales<br>Participation fees<br>Trade stand income<br>Income - Play days<br>Interest on cash deposits<br>Arts Council Funding|**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**General**<br>**£**<br>-<br>5,483<br>19,800<br>3,266<br>1,231<br>61<br>-<br>29,841|**Restricted**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>5,605<br>5,605|**Total**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>-<br>5,483<br>19,800<br>3,266<br>1,231<br>61<br>5,605<br>35,446|**Total**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>2,171<br>7,922<br>21,103<br>5,635<br>1,108<br>60<br>7,471|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||45,470|



Page 8 

## **NCBF** 

## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 April 2025** 

## **5 Expenditure on charitable activities** 

|**Note**<br>Venue hire<br>Adjudicator fees<br>Volunteers<br>expenses<br>Play day expenses<br>Organiser's fees<br>Staff training<br>Insurance<br>Website<br>maintenance<br>Printing, postage<br>and stationery<br>Trade subscriptions<br>Independent<br>examiner's fee<br>Business<br>Manager's fees<br>Partnership<br>Coordinator<br>expenses<br>Bank charges<br>Depreciation of<br>equipment<br>Organiser's fees<br>Website<br>maintenance<br>Business<br>Manager's fees<br>Partnership<br>coordinator<br>ACE - Bursaries|**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**General**<br>**£**<br>7,478<br>5,039<br>17,454<br>900<br>6,000<br>10<br>350<br>50<br>1,388<br>353<br>216<br>-<br>521<br>66<br>333<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>40,158|**Restricted**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>167<br>300<br>333<br>2,154<br>2,651<br>5,605|**Total**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>7,478<br>5,039<br>17,454<br>900<br>6,000<br>10<br>350<br>50<br>1,388<br>353<br>216<br>-<br>521<br>66<br>333<br>167<br>300<br>333<br>2,154<br>2,651<br>45,763|**Total**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>5,626<br>6,011<br>12,413<br>590<br>6,000<br>260<br>735<br>704<br>1,469<br>562<br>216<br>1,500<br>-<br>78<br>333<br>500<br>900<br>1,000<br>5,071<br>-|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||43,968|



Page 9 

## **NCBF** 

## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 April 2025** 

## **6 Taxation** 

The charity is a registered charity and is therefore exempt from taxation. 

## **7 Tangible fixed assets** 

|**7**<br>**Tangible fixed assets**|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|**Cost**<br>At 1 May 2024<br>At 30 April 2025<br>**Depreciation**<br>At 1 May 2024<br>Charge for the year<br>At 30 April 2025<br>**Net book value**<br>At 30 April 2025<br>At 30 April 2024<br>**8**<br>**Fixed asset investments**<br>Investment - NCBF title<br>**9**<br>**Debtors**<br>Prepayments<br>**10 Cash and cash equivalents**<br>Cash at bank||**Furniture and**<br>**equipment**<br>**£**<br>2,820<br>2,820<br>2,153<br>333<br>2,486<br>334<br>667<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>1<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>27,069||**Total**<br>**£**<br>2,820<br>2,820<br>2,153<br>333<br>2,486<br>334<br>667<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>1|
|||2,820|||
|||2,153<br>333|||
|||2,486|||
|||334|||
|||667|||
|||**2025**<br>**£**<br>1<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>27,069|||
|||||**2025**<br>**£**<br>2,743|
|||||**2024**<br>**£**<br>33,605|



## **11 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year** 

Page 10 

## **NCBF** 

## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 April 2025** 

|Other creditors<br>Accruals<br>**12 Funds**<br>**Balance at 1**<br>**May 2024**<br>**£**<br>**Unrestricted funds**<br>General<br>14,250<br>**Restricted funds**<br>-<br>**Total funds**<br>14,250<br>**13 Analysis of net assets between funds**<br>Tangible fixed assets<br>Fixed asset investments<br>Current assets<br>Current liabilities<br>Total net assets|**Incoming**<br>**resources**<br>**£**<br>34,862<br>5,605<br>40,467<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**General**<br>**£**<br>334<br>1<br>12,881<br>-<br>13,216|**2025**<br>**£**<br>11,675<br>2,743<br>14,418<br>**Resources**<br>**expended**<br>**£**<br>(33,383)<br>(5,605)<br>(38,988)<br>**Restricted**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>-<br>-<br>16,931<br>(14,418)<br>2,513|**2024**<br>**£**<br>17,280<br>2,743|
|---|---|---|---|
||||20,023|
||||**Balance at 30**<br>**April 2025**<br>**£**<br>15,729<br>-|
||||15,729|
||||**Total funds**<br>**at 30 April**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>334<br>1<br>29,812<br>(14,418)|
||||15,729|



Page 11 

