Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1 September 2024 to 31 August 2025
Charity name: Furness Music Centre
Charity registration number: 1112934
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name Other name the charity uses Registered charity number Charity’s principal address |
Furness Music Centre |
|---|---|
| FMC | |
| 1112934 | |
| Furness Music Centre, Dunnerholme Crossing, Kirkby-in-Furness Cumbria LA17 7TU |
Names of the charity trustees
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiona MaryRoberts | Chair | |||
| Harriet Louise Hampshire | ||||
| Madelaine Rose | ||||
| Simone Bernadette Huitson | Assistant Treasurer | Until 11thJanuary2026 | ||
| Judith MaryWray | ||||
| Janet Elizabeth Heffernan | ||||
| Graham John Wood | Until 6thOctober 2025 | |||
| Jean Ashworth | ||||
| David John Gillam | ||||
| TimothyJohn Baxter | Secretary | |||
| Peter Fitzpatrick | Treasurer | |||
Corporate trustees – names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
| Trustee name | Dates acted if not for whole year | Dates acted if not for whole year | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure, Governance and Management | |||
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
The governing document for Furness Music Centre is its Constitution. Issue 5 of the Constitution was adopted by members voting at the AGM on 25thJanuary 2025 |
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| How is the charity constituted? (e.g. unincorporated association, CIO) |
Furness Music Centre is constituted as an unincorporated association |
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| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Trustees are nominated at the Annual General Meeting and elected by the members. No person or body is entitled to nominate or appoint a trustee |
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| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Furness Music Centre has a ‘welcome pack’ for new trustees and offers an induction session. The charity commission guidance for new trustees is also signposted |
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| Relationship with any related parties | Furness Music Centre is a founder partner organisation within Cumbria Music Hub |
Objectives and Activities
| Objectives and Activities | |
|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
a. to advance and develop musical skills in ensemble playing and choral singing b. to advance, improve, develop and maintain public education in, and appreciation of, the art and science of music in all its aspects by any means the trustees see fit, including through the tuition and tutoring of members and the presentation of public concerts and recitals c. to assist and support such charitable institution or purposes as the trustees shall from time to time decide. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Furness Music Centre continued to hold weekly rehearsals for all ensembles in term time and a public performance at the end of each term. Further opportunities for members to make music and audiences to enjoy it were provided over the Christmas period, and 32 members joined a successful tour of Cheshire in the summer of 2024. Furness Music Centre also provided instrument lessons in orchestral instruments for more than 80 children and adults throughout the year |
|---|---|
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Throughout this period the trustees have taken due regard of the guidance on public benefit issued by the Charity Commission |
| Policy on grant making | Furness Music Centre is generally not a grant- making charity, and no grants were made in this period by the charity |
| Contribution made by volunteers | All of Furness Music Centre trustees, who carry out all of the administrative activities that support the charity, are unpaid volunteers. Without the contribution of its trustees, Furness Music Centre would not be able to operate. A number of members also volunteer their services at concerts, as instrumental tutors and in organising the tour each year |
Achievements and Performance
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Making music in an ensemble, whether this be playing in an orchestra, singing in a choir or both, has multiple positive effects on both children’s education and adults’ education and mental well-being. The improvement in playing of all of the ensembles over time is evident for all to see and hear. A number of studies have demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in general educational outcome where children also learn to play an instrument (e.g.,Does learning to play an instrument have an impact on change in attainment from age 11 to 16?). Playing in an ensemble also improves teamwork, teaches collaboration skills, develops confidence and involves almost every sense and motor function in the body The health benefits of singing are also well documented, and Furness Music Centre is registered with the local social prescribing practitioner team. Our members also gain socially, with plentiful reference to the ‘Furness Music Centre family’. Some of our older members live alone and have significantly improved social lives from participating in the activities offered by Furness Music Centre. Finally our concerts educate the general public and bring pleasure to our audience members, many of whom attend all of our concerts throughout the year. |
|---|---|
Financial Review
| Financial Review | |
|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
The financial records together with the information held on the website enabled Gift Aid of approximately £1,600 to be claimed on members’ subscriptions. A Production Company, FMC ProdCo Ltd., with three trustees as directors, enabled Orchestra Tax Relief to be claimed for the first time. Resulting in additional funds of approximately £4,500 to the charity. The charity achieved an income of £45,145 during the period of operation, with an expenditure of £43,843. This does not include the cost of coach hire for the tour in the summer of 2025, which was £2,600, resulting in an operating loss over the year of £1,298. A balance of £17,253 was held in the charity’s account at the end of the year, with the liability for tour coach hire of £2,600 effectively reducing this to £14,653 A balance of £692 was held in the production company’s account at the end of the year The charity also owns a significant number of musical instruments which are used to support instrumental teaching and are available for members to loan. These are valued at approximately £14,050 |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
The reserves policy of the charity is to hold a minimum of £15,000 in reserves. These are held in the charity’s and production company’s bank accounts and as physical assets, mainly musical instruments. |
| Amount of reserves held | Total cash reserves of £17,945 were held, with a liability of £2,600 Assets in the form of instruments valued at approximately £14,050 |
| Details of fund materially in deficit | No funds held by the charity have been in deficit during the period |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
The trustees believe that there are no material uncertainties about their charity's ability to continue as a going concern |
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | The charity’s principal sources of funds supporting the operation of the charity during this period are: • Membership Subscriptions • Grant funding from Cumbria Music Hub • Grant funding from local charitable trusts • Personal donations • Proceeds raised by concerts • Gift Aid • Orchestra Tax Relief • Fees for the provision of instrument lessons • Member’s tour fees |
|---|---|---|
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above. Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s) Full name(s) Fiona Mary Roberts Peter Fitzpatrick Position (e.g. Secretary, Chair, etc)[Chair ] Treasurer Date 31[st] January 2026
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Charity Name No (if any)
Furness Music Centre 1112934
Receipts and payments accounts CC16a
Period start date Period end date
For the period from 01/09/2024 To 31/08/2025
Section A Receipts and payments
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment
Total funds Last year
funds funds funds
to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £
A1 Receipts
A1a Donations, legacies and other minor receipts 11,347 - - 11,347 17,100
A1b(i) Operating activities to further charity's objects 33,798 - - 33,798 38,348
A1b(ii) Operating activities to generate funds - - - - -
A1c Investment income receipts - - - - -
A1d Other receipts (not counting as Gross Income) - - - - 67
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
Sub total (Gross income for AR) [ 45,145 ] - - 45,145 55,515
A2 Asset and investment sales
- - - - -
- - - - -
Sub total [ - ] - - - -
Total receipts 45,145 - - 45,145 55,515
A3 Payments
A2a Payments for Generating Funds - - - - -
A2b(i) Charitable Payments - Grants Paid - - - - -
A2b(ii) Charitable Payment - Charitable Activities 42,043 - - 42,043 49,398
A2b(iii) Charitable Payments - Support Costs 356 - - 356 807
A2b(iv) Charitable Payments - Management & Administration - - - - -
A2c Other payments (not counting as "Expenditure") 486 - - 486 980
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
Sub total [ 42,885 ] - - 42,885 51,185
A4 Asset and investment purchases
Instruments to support tuition 957 - - 957 755
- - - - -
Sub total [ 957 ] - - 957 755
Total payments 43,843 - - 43,843 51,940
Net of receipts/(payments) 1,302 - - 1,302 3,575
A5 Transfers between funds - - - - -
A6 Cash funds last year end 15,951 - - 15,951 12,376
Cash funds this year end 17,253 - - 17,253 15,951
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Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
| Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Categories Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees B2 Other monetary assets B1 Cash funds B3 Investment assets B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use B5 Liabilities |
Details Summer Term grant from Cumbira Music Hub (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Details Current Account Total cash funds Details Details Details FMCjuniors Musical Instruments - Flutes FMCjuniors Musical Instruments - Vioilins FMCjuniors Musical Instruments - Clarinets FMC Musical Instruments - Violin FMC Musical Instruments - Cellos FMC Musical Instruments - Double Bass FMC Musical Instruments - Trumpets FMC Musical Instruments - Xylophone Payment for Tour Coach Transport Payment for Tour Accommodation Signature |
Unrestricted funds to nearest £ 17,253 - - |
Restricted funds to nearest £ - - - |
Endowment funds to nearest £ - - - |
| 17,253 | - | - | ||
| OK Unrestricted funds to nearest £ 1,933.34 £ - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Fund to which asset belongs Unrestricted Funds Unrestricted Funds Unrestricted Funds Unrestricted Funds Unrestricted Funds Unrestricted Funds Unrestricted Funds Unrestricted Funds Fund to which liability relates Unrestricted Funds Unrestricted Funds Print Nam Peter Fitzpatrick, T |
OK Restricted funds to nearest £ - - - - - - Cost (optional) - - - - - Cost (optional) - - - - - - - - - Amount due (optional) 2,600 5,704 - - - e reasurer |
OK | ||
| Endowment funds to nearest £ - - - - - - Current value (optional) - - - - - Current value (optional) 2,800 3,250 2,100 500 3,850 700 700 150 - When due (optional) Date of approval 30/01/2026 |
Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report Report to the trustees FURNESS MUSIC CENTRE On accounts for the year 31[st] August 2025 Charity no 1112934 ended (if any) Set out on pages 1-2
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31/08/2025.
Responsibilities and As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the basis of report accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention in connection with the examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Date: 28[th] February 2026
Signed: Name: David Aitken Relevant professional i) Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. qualification(s) or body ii) Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (if any): Address: 29 Ainslie Street Barrow in Furness Cumbria ; LA14 5AY
1
Oct 2018
IER
Section B Disclosure
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).
Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .
2
Oct 2018
IER