REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07129908 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1138309 REPORTOF THE TRUSTEES AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2023 FOR THE BRASS IN CONCERT CHAMPIONSHIP 'AC7OQgCQ' OW7r2023 COMPANIE5 HOUSE
122
GibsonBooth LTD Chartered Accountants. Business Advisers & Statutory Auditor 12 Victoria Road Barnslev South Yorkshire S70 2BB
THE BRASS IN CONCERT CHAMPIONSHIP CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR ThE YEAR EMDEO 31 JANUARY 2023 Reference and Administrative tyetails Report of the Trustees Independent Examinees Report Statement of Financial Actlvitles Balance Sheet 10 to 11 Notes to the Financial Statements 12 to 16
THE BRASS IN CONCERT CHAMPIONSHIP REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATNE DEfAILS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2023 TrusrEES PRBee D Bennett Trustee (resigned 15.9.22} M5 F Johnstone H A Stephenson N C Stevens Mrs J Beere Trustee (deceased 23.10.221 Ms M Bedford (appointed 1.4.221 REGISTERED OFFICE 17 Montalbo Road Barnard Castle Co. Durham DL12 8BP REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER 07129908 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARtTY NUMBER 1138309 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Gibson Booth Limited 12 Virtoria Road Barnsley Sovth Yorkshi S70 28B Pa8e I
THE 8RASS IN CONCERT CHAMPIONSHIP REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2023 The trustees who are also dirertors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Art 2006. present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 January 2023. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities- Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102} {effective l January 20191. OBJEcnvES AND AcnvmES Objertives and aims The Brass in Concert Championship is a charitable. brass band music festival and youth brass development organisation based in the North East of England at our resident auditorium of Sage Gateshead. As at the end of January 2023 the Brass in Concert organisation has succe55fully delivered 45 annual festivals and over the last 6 years has expanded its mission through a relationship with Newcastle and Northumberland music hubs {Music Partnership Northl to deliver a growing number of elementary youth brass educational projects. The festival is widely considered the most prestigious brass band entertainment festival in the World and remains dedicated to SUPPOrting and promoting brass banding actmties through showcasing the finest and World's highest ranked brass bands. Page 2
THE BRASS IN coNRr CHAMPIONSHIP REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2023 OBJEcfivES AND AcnvmES Significant activities The financial year 2022-23 saw further significant progress on the board's multi year phased and risk managed plan to return the festival to its pre pandemic size and scope on 18th and 19th November 2022. That multi year plan was also seen by the board as an opportunity to revisit each component of the festival, to inspett and as necessary change and improve the commercial viability. geographical location {for the Youth components only) and delivery model. The 2021 festival gave us good finanaal data and both audience and competing band feedback that informed our plans on h¢)W to structure the festival for 2022 and beyond to ensure its ongoing viability and future developmenL The two main conclusions from the 2021 festival review that informed our key decisions for 2022 were that: 111 The move of the main Brass in Concert Championship from its historical norm of a Sunday event to a Saturday délivered.. Our highest ever box office ticket sales - perceived as a vote from our ticket buying patrons that Saturday was preferable to Sunday for the Brass in Concert Championship Clear and unambiguous feedback from the majority of competing bands that they were more likely to accept invitations to the Brass in Concert Championship due to ease of travel and greater social convenience of a Saturday. Thu5 the risk of "tsrgev highly ranked bands not accepting invitations is significantly reduced. 121 Holding Youth Bra55 in Concert and Brass in Concert Championship on the same day was not feasible due to.. - The late finishinB time of the Championship which led to reduced audience numbers later in the day - No room for expansion of Youth Brass in Concert - The length of the working day for staff and volunteers Based ¢)n the above conclusions, in the financial year 2022-23 we presented the Brass in Concert Championship with 12 World class bands competing on Saturday 19th November 2022. Box office sales were again excellent with approximately 14(M) paying patrons in attendance. Feedback from bands and patrons continued to be extremely positive regarding the change to a Saturday. A festival party was introduced as a new concept and concluding element of the festival. enabling players and audience to mingle and socialise in the concourse areas. This proved a suc5$ful new initiative that the board intend to trial further in 2023. Other new initiatives included a seeded draw for the Championship and a complimentary drink for each competing player. Both these initiatives were well received and the board intend to adopt the seeded draw as standard and rewew the complimentary drink initiative once ticket sales figures are known for 2023 and an accurate forecast for the financial year 2023124 is available. Our education programme was relaunched during October 2022 with workshops at various locations in Newcastle and Northumberland. The project was by far our biggest and most ambitious project to date. Page 3
THE BRASS IN CONCERT CHAMPIONSHIP REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2023 OBJEcfivES AND AcnvmES All 328 students performed on the main stage at the iconic Sage Gateshead auditorium to a near capacity audience of friend5. families and local dignitaries. The concert itself wa5 just the culmination in a corrplex project pulling together brass elementary and intermediate students from across the north Èast from a diverse range of backgrounds. The workshops that were held before the main event and were created and delivered by the inspirational leadership from one of the UK'S finest brass educators and supported by local school and music hub brass teachers. This was added to by the unique experience of being able to perform in such a prestigious venue. The feedback we have had from the students, their teachers and the parents is that this has Eone a very long way to ensuring these students remain motivated to continue learning and pratticing their instruments and we know that many of the students have already fed through to regular playing in local community and school bands and other rnusical en5emble5 that ensure the future of bra55 banding and music more gener311y in the whole geographical area is enriched and secured. The project was funded through donations from our main sponsors and grants from trusts and foundation5. The project cernented our strong partnership with both Music Partnership North IMPNI who project managed and administered the project and Br35s Bands England who provided the musical direction and acted as the artistic a(fvisors. Youth Brass in Concert was postponed in 2022 whilst we undertook a strategic review of this element of the festival taking into account its historic audience numbers. ticket and other sources of income, number of competing youth bands, costs to run and our vision for its future etc. Our expectation was to Cornplete that review in 2023 and to [aunth a redesigned and potentially rel(xated Youth Brass in cOnrt in 2024. This review will be done in partnership with Brass Bands England. Similarly the reintroduction of a Gala Concert was deferred until 2023 whilst we gather more data on live event tske-up post pandemic. particularly data in our brass band sector and the geography of NE England. In terms of the overall evaluation of the festival by the sector press. the artists (the bands) and a signrficant amount of audience feedback the festival was once again heralded a success and the strategic changes to the f(Ymat appear to have been positive and now fomi a foundation on which to further build in 2023. Page 4
THE BRASS IN CONCERT CHAMPIONSHIP REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2023 ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE Charitable activities The Brass in Concert Championship continues to provide a platform for the finest brass band5 in the world to entertain and display, free of artistic restriction, their excellence as performers of high-quality original and arranged brass band music. This is achieved through creative and inspiring programmes and presentstion reflecting the most current and progressive form of the 8enre, designed to appeal to tth the general listener and enthusiasts of the discipline alike. Our Youth and Education artiVTties are progressively being designed to showcase all that is good in live music and deliver and support opportunity for young people to have the right to sample and learn a bra55 or percussion instrument regardless of background. reported in the Trustees report for the year ended 31 January 2022 a number of initiatives were undertaken in 2020 and 2021 to develop and rnodernise our core delivery processes and procedures and the board can now report these are now all documented and complete. The formal partnering and service agreements that we began to put in place in 2021 are now maturing with our strategic partners to ensure the ongoing success of the festival. These relate to Music Partnership North IMPN} where the now signed agreement formalises the scope and operating arrangements of the partnership on Educational projects. Similarly with Brass Bands England IBBEI we have now formalised and successfully utilised the support services partnership for the delivery of projert management. grant writin& marketing and artistic advisory they provide to 8ra5s in Concert. These partnership agreements have been duly approved by the board and authorised by the CEO and all financial implications have been included in the 2022123 accounts and 2023124 budgets by our Finance Dirertor. FINANCIAL REVIEW Reserves policy The reserves that we have set aside provide financial stability and the means for the development of our principal activity. We intend to maintain our reserves at a level which is at least equivalent to £25,000. rising to £40,W) over the next 10 years. We intend to use the resernes to invest in and develop the Bras5 in Concert Festival event over this time frame. The Board annually review the amount of reseNes that are required to ensure that they are adequate to fulfil our continuing obligations. STRUCTURE, GOVERNA AND MANAGEMEKr Governing documenl The charity is controlled by its governing document. a deed of trust, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee. a5 defined by the Companies Act 2(X)6. Page 5
THE BRASS IN coNRT CHAMPIONSHIP REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2023 STRucfuRE. GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMEKr Changes to the Board of Trustees In line with these objertives and artivities the trustees have made the following change5 to the board of trustees in the period: Marie Bedford IFCCAI formally joined the board as the Finance Director after supporting Brass in Concert Championship Ltd in an advisorylproject basis since late 2020. Gibson Booth Ltd continued to act as our account3nts due to the experience they have of supporting organisations Within the brass band sertor. The board was deeply saddened at the passing of Jacqueline (Jackie) Beere in Ottober 2022, a long time Direttor of the company. wife of our Chairman Paul Beere and the administrative driving force behind the Brass in Concert Championship since its inception in 1977. Tributes were paid to Jackie and her service to Brass in cOnrt at various pLNnts of the 2022 festwal but notsbly by Houghton Youth Band whose musical tributes will be long remembered. During Paul Bee.$ absence from the board in 2022 David Bennett (Honorary President) acted as Interim Chairman. The board would like to sincerely thank David for taking on these additional responsibilities during thi5 difficult time. Governance The board has continued to hold both trustee and operational meetings on-line during this financial year agreeing that it was continuing to deliver excellent results in conducting business effettively and in terms of cost savings. On site meetings at Sage Gateshead were limited to two occasions in the period. In Conclusi¢)n This year was again notable fix the continuing successful delNery of the Brass in Concert Championship and its associated Educational Programme at Sage Gateshead. This was only made possible through the strengthening of the partnerships in place with our sponsors (World of Brass. Banks Group. Yamaha Music) our Educational Projett partner {Music Partnership North) and our delivery partner {Brass Bands England). The board have worked diligently throughout this financial year to continue the progress made in 2021 to overcome multiple challenges in temis of much needed modernisation and reform to the way we manage and deliver the festival. We now have signrficantly better financial management reporting, formal service delivery contracts with our strategic partners which provide professional skills and advisory services to the board. This continues to provide a firm foundation on which to build further sources of funding, build appropriate reserves and ensure we remain connected and relevant to a changing brass band settor. Approved by order of the board of trustees on 30 June 2023 and signed on its behalf by: N C Stevens- Trustee Page 6
INDEPENOENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE BRASS IN CONCERT CHAMPIONSHIP Independent examiner's report to the trustees ol The Brass In Concert Championship I'the Companv,) I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 January 2023. Responsibilitie5 and basis of report As the charity's trustees of the Company land also its direttors for the purposes of company lawl 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 Att and are eligible for independent examination. I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under Section 14S of the Charities Act 20111.the 2011 Art,). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Dirertions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145151 Ibl of the 2011 Aci. Page 7
INDEPENDEMT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE BRASS IN CONCERT CHAMPIONSHIP Independent examinerf5 ststement 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= accounting records were not kept in respert of the Company as required by Section 386 of the 2006 Act: or the accounts do Dot accord with those records: or 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 the accounts have not been prepared in accordance wtth the methc¥ls 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 IFRS 10211. I have no cor¢cern5 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. Scott Mell Gibson Booth Limited 12 Victoria Road Barnslev South Yorkshire 570 288 Date:...... Jb k)L3 Page 8
THE BRASS IN CONCERT CHAMPIONSHIP STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL AcnvmES (INCORPORATING AN INCOME AND EXPENOITURE ACCOUNn FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2023 31.1.23 Unrestrirted fund 31.1.22 Total funds Notes INCOME AND ENt)OWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies 22.249 42,998 Other trading activities 73.959 64,542 Totsl 96,208 107.540 EXPENDITURE ON Charitsble artivities Provision of events 86,512 61.666 INCOME 9.696 45,874 RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 23.403 122,4711 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 33,099 23,403 The notes fonn part of these financial statements Page 9
THE BIIASS IN CONCERT CHAMPIONSHIP BALANCE SHEET 31 JANUARY 2023 31.1.23 Unrestrirted fund 31.1.22 Totsl funds Notes CURRENT ASSErs Debtors Cash at bank 1.298 35,656 7.041 20.263 36.954 27,304 CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year (3,8551 13.9011 NET CURRENT ASSErs 33.099 23,403 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILMES 23,403 NET ASSETS 33.099 23,403 FUND5 Unrestritted funds 33,099 23,403 TOTAL FUNDS 33.099 23.403 The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Sertion 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 January 2023. The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 January 2023 in accordance with Sertion 476 of the Companbes Act 2(K)6. The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for lal ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting record5 that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companie5 Act 2LK16 and preparing financial statements which give 3 true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Settion$ 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2CX]6 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company. Ibl The note5 form part of these financial statements Page 10 continued...
THE BRASS IN CONCERT CHAMPIONSHIP BALANCE SHEEf- continued 31 JANUARY 2023 These financial statements have been prepared in accordance wth the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime. The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 30 June 2023 and were signed on its behalf by.. N C Stevens- Trustee The notes form part of these financial statements Page 11
THE BRASS IN CONCERT CHAMPIONSHIP NOTES TO THE FINANaAI sfATEMEKrs FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2023 ACCOUNTING POUCIES Basis ot preparing the financial statem The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charitie5 SORP IFRS 1021 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities.. Statement of Recommended Prartice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ire13nd IFRS 1021 (effective l January 2019)., Financial Reporting standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland, and the Companies ALt 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. Signifiont judgements and estimates No judgements have been made in the process of applying the below accounting policies that have had the most significant effert on amounts recognised in the financial statements. There are no key assumptions concerning the future and other key sources of estimatlon uncertainty at the reporting date that have a significant risk of causing material adjustment to the carrying amounts of a55ets and liabilitie5 Within the next financial year. Income All income is recognised in the Statement of Financi31 Activit5 once the tharity has entitlement to the funds. it is probable that the income will be rped and the amount can be meaSud lIablY. Expendlture Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there 15 a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure. it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been dassified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resource5. Taxation The charity is exempt from corporation tax on tts charitable artivities. Fund accounting Unrestrirted funds can be used in accordance wtth the charitsble objectFves at the discretion of the trustees. Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes Wfthin the objects of the charity. Restrittions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are rad for particular restrirted purposes. Further explanation of the natu and purpose of each fund is induded in the re5 to the financial statements. Page 12 continued...
THE BRASS IN CONCERT CHAMPIONSHIP NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMErirs- continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2023 OTHER TRADING AcfiwnES 31.1.23 31.1.22 ricket and programme sales Media and advertising Sponsorship and streaming Priie donations School hub match funding Coach parking Performance lighting Rehersal rM hire 45.854 1,975 22,780 1,500 500 100 1,200 40,352 2,085 19.405 1,500 100 1,100 73.959 64.542 TRUSfEES REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS There were no trustees. remuneration or other benefrts for the year ended 31 January 2023 nor for the yearended 31January2022. Trustees. expenses The reimbursement of trustees expenses during the year was £1.56912022 - £4421. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALUNG DUE WttHIN ONE YEAR 31.1.23 31.1.22 Trade debtors VAT 1,224 74 130 6,911 1298 7,041 Page 13 continued...
ThE BRASS IN CONCERT CHAMPIONSHIP NOTES TO THE FINANaAL STATEMEKfs- continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2023 CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALUNG DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 31.1.23 31.1.22 Trade creditors Accruals and deferred income 97 3.758 2,401 1,500 3,855 3.901 MOVEMENT IN FUNDS Net movement in funds At 31.1.23 At 1.2.22 Unrestricted funds General tund 23A03 9.696 33,099 TOTAL FUNDS 23A03 9,696 33,099 Net movement in funds. included in the abtye are as follows: Incoming resource5 Resources expended Movement in funds Unrestrirted funds General fund 96208 186.512) 9.696 TOTAL FUNDS {86.512) 9.696 Comparatives for m¢wement in funds Net movement in funds At 31.1.22 At 1.2.21 Unrestrirted funds General fund {22.471) 45,874 23,403 TOTAL FUNDS (22.471) 45.874 23,403 Page 14 continued...
THE BRASS IN CONCERT CHAMPIONSHIP NOTES TO THE FINANaAL sfATEMEKfs- continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2023 MOVEMENT IN FUNDS- ¢¢tinUed Comparative net movement in funds. included in the above are as follows: Incoming resources Resources expended Movement in funds Unrestricted funds General fund 107.540 161.6661 45.874 TOTAL FUNDS 107,540 161.6661 45,874 A current year 12 months and prior year 12 month5 combined position is as follows: Net movement in funds At 31.1.23 At 1.2.21 Unrestrirted funds General fund 122.471) 55,570 33,099 TOTAL FUNDS (22.4711 55.570 33,099 A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds. included in the above are as follows: Incoming resources Resources expended Movement in funds Unre5trirted funds General fund 203.748 (148,178) 55,570 TOTAL FUNDS 203.748 1148,1781 55.570 Page 15 continued...
THE BRASS IN CONCERT CHAMPIONSHIP NOTES TO THE FINANaAL STATEMENTS. tontinued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2023 RELATED PARTY DisaosuRES During the year. the Twstees made donations to the charity totslling £Nil 12022- £37.8(XII. During the year £l.l)W (2022 £1.(Xi)} was paid to Aruba 81ue Limited in re5pert of financial management services. Ms M Bedford. Trustee, is abo a director of Aruba Blue Limited Page 16