2024-07-31-accounts - Passion Trust

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07330034 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1141493

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] JULY 2024 FOR PASSION TRUST

Jackie Bonella BSc. ACA Chartered Accountant Avonlea Bush Lane Send Surrey GU23 7HP

PASSION TRUST

CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] JULY 2024

	Page
Trustees Annual Report	2 to 4
Company Information	5
Independent Examiner’s Report	6
Statement of Financial Activities	7
Balance Sheet	8 to 9
Notes to the Financial Statements	10 to 11
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities	12

Passion Trust Annual Report

Constitutional information

The charity was registered with the Charity Commission in 2010 and entered on the Register of Charities in 2011 with registration number 1141493. The charity is governed by its memorandum and articles of association dated 8 October 2010.

Objectives, organisation and activities

The Passion Trust promotes the arts and education through free productions of the Easter Passion story and related artistic events in local communities around the UK. As a Christian charity we explore and support best ways of performing the Easter story, working with people of all faiths or none through educative and non-confrontational live performances. Free Passion Plays offer an experience of the Easter story while creating opportunities to understand and explore the central event of the Christian faith. The Passion Trust maintains an online presence which provides resources free of charge and helps promote Passion Plays by providing free back up, PR, financial support and 24/7 advice, workshops, and conferences.

Vision, mission and values

Our vision is to see a Passion Play in every town and city across the UK, with an increase in both the number and quality of these performances across the UK. Our key focus is to transform the way Easter is experienced through free, live performances and we value Bible-based explorations of the Easter story that grow organically from local churches and communities.

Passion Plays promote freedom of belief within faith communities that contribute to significant change and transformation. They are evidence of the impact faith communities can have on society, as is shown in Colin Bloom’s report Does Government ‘do’ God?: An independent review into how government engages with faith (2023). Bloom notes, a ‘powerful unifying force which invigorates society and pushes individuals towards a more cohesive community, characterised by hope, constructive endeavours and a positive vision for the future,’ p.34.

With so many new Passion Plays starting up and existing Passion Plays getting bigger, there is a vast amount of creativity and innovation from the more experienced and professional groups that can ensure long term impact and change the structures of other local communities around the UK. Our aim is to investigate and disseminate the insights and experience of expert Passion Plays such as those led by professional and/or Christian theatre companies.

Trustees

The trustees are: Alex Stewart-Clark Suzanne Lofthus James Burke-Dunsmore David Robinson

Our Trustees have decades of experience in producing, directing or performing in Passion Plays in the UK and around the world. They understand the unique challenges and potentials of live outdoor theatre and their past and present contributions have made Passion Plays the largest outdoor audiences of live theatre in the UK.

None of the Trustees have any beneficial interest in the company. Trustees comply with the duty imposed upon them by Section 4 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to guidance published by the Charity Commission including the guidance issued in respect of public benefit. Trustees meet to manage the charity’s affairs and delegate most of the work to administrative staff and volunteers.

Responsibilities of Trustees

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards. The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs in the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period.

As Trustees, they act in the charity’s best interests, manage the charity’s resources responsibly, and act with reasonable care and skill. In addition, they make considerable contributions to new and established productions, as well as to ongoing education and research that is available online. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Public benefit

The Trustees have considered the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit and on the advancement of religion when considering the charities aims and objectives so that all people across the UK can have access to live experiences of the Easter story in their local community. Each town and city that has a free Passion Play during Easter Holy Week brings crowds of people to watch, which increases footfall and spending in local businesses. Local city councils are very supportive of the free performances as it adds to the cultural and educational events in their calendar.

We aim to support Passion Plays that are performed free of charge in city centres around the UK. In addition, all our resources online are free of charge and our trustees offer pro bono consulting and are available to travel to meet with people who are thinking of putting on a new Passion Play to give personalised advice and support.

Financial Review

The 2023-2024 financial year has continued to see business as normal for the Trust. We maintain our commitment to give 100% of all donations directly to production and performance costs, with all administrative costs for running the charity covered by the Trust. Income appears consistent with last year and we are expecting to be slightly above the budgeted level.

Disclosure

We, the Trustees of the charity, confirm, so far as we are aware, that there is no relevant audit information of which the charity’s auditors are unaware.

Signed on behalf of the Board of Trustees

Alex Stewart-Clark Chairman and Trustee

Dated: 16 December 2024

Message from Chair of Trustees

This annual report allows me the opportunity to pause, reflect and give thanks for all of the different Passion Plays taking place around the UK.

This year we also had the opportunity to conduct action research via a case study research project funded by the M B Reckitt Trust. Our case study focussed on the Dudley Passion Play while interviews and observations with a number of other Passion Plays allowed us to develop and refine our research. Insights from plays performed in Edinburgh, Havant, Liverpool, Oxford, Reading, West Cheltenham and Worcester reflect back on the Dudley Passion case study to give a richer understanding of Passion Plays in 2024. In-depth interviews with directors, producers, professional actors and community cast volunteers were conducted during rehearsals as well as before and after the Easter performances. The data allowed us to explore the potential of Passion Plays to tell the Easter story in a way that strengthens faith communities and promotes religious literacy in a multifaith world.

We gained new insights into the way embodied explorations enabled those who took part to strengthen their faith and find common ground among Christians of different traditions and denominations. Contextualising a script and anchoring a production in local communities was a common theme among other Passion Play communities.

Taking part in Passion Plays was a journey of faith, discovery and personal growth for many people. It was also an opportunity for journeying with other people by inviting them into the process either to experience it as part of the cast as volunteers or to give feedback that would shape the final performance.

We also gained new insights into interfaith elements of Passion Plays. When performed in the public sphere, they cannot escape the fact that people of other faiths will have questions, responses and concerns. Inviting people of different faith traditions and people with no faith tradition into the journey of rehearsal and production generated new understandings and new forms of dialogue. Points of familiarity and conflict were easier to recognise and dialogue made more meaningful when anchored to practicalities of rehearsal and production.

The Passion Trust continues to produce resources that are freely available online. These include historical perspectives and insights from Passion Plays around the world, as well as very practical advice and guidance that covers all aspects of production, rehearsal and performance. We continued our ongoing series of blog posts and new additions to our online resources and our annual conference took place via Zoom.

Passion Plays were featured in newspapers around the UK, including The Scotsman , BBC regional newspapers and online publications, and the online journal The Tablet . Our trustees contributed to radio interviews including Premier Radio, UCB, Radio Maria and BBC Radio Scotland and also took part in an online seminar on Antisemitism available to view on YouTube: https://youtu.be/byh0YGAIMDo

On behalf of the Trustees, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the people who work so selflessly to bring their Passion Play to life throughout the long rehearsals and final performances in all kinds of weather. From the arts professional to the community volunteers, it is a joy to witness the power and legacy of each new retelling of ‘the greatest story ever told’.

Mr Alexander Stewart-Clark

Chair of Trustees

PASSION TRUST

COMPANY INFORMATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] JULY 2024

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Registered Company Number: 07330034 (England and Wales)

Registered Charity Number: 1141493

Registered Office:

Sinclaire Cottage Portsmouth Road Ripley Surrey GU23 6EW

Trustees

A Stewart-Clark J L Burke-Dunsmore Miss S Lofthus D Robinson

Independent examiner

Jackie Bonella BSc. ACA Chartered Accountant Avonlea Bush Lane Send Surrey GU23 7HP

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee as defined by the Companies Act 2006.

Risk management

The trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error.

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF PASSION TRUST

I report on the accounts for the year ended 31st July 2024 set out on pages six to eleven.

Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner

The charity’s trustees (who are also directors for the purpose of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under Section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is required.

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 procedure 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 the 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 statements 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 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006; and
- to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records, comply with the accounting requirements of Sections 394 and 395 of the Companies Act 2006 and with the methods and principles of the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1[st] January 2015).

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.

Jackie Bonella BSc. ACA Chartered Accountant Avonlea Bush Lane Send Surrey GU23 7HP

Date: 19 December 2024

PASSION TRUST

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] JULY 2024

		31.7.24	31.7.23
		Unrestricted	Unrestricted
		Funds	Funds
		£	£
	Notes
INCOMING RESOURCES
Income from donors	1	27,450	28,903
Donations to cover costs		19,161	24,867
Total incoming resources		46,611	53,770
EXPENDED RESOURCES
Charitable donations		27,450	28,903
Cost of generating funds		734	4,969
Support costs	2	21,257	19,037
Governance costs		965	840
Total resources expended		50,406	53,749
		___ __	___ __
NET (OUTGOING)/INCOMING RESOURCES		(3,795)	21
Total funds brought forward		(566)	(587)
		_____	__ ___
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD		£(4,361)	£(566)
		______	______

The notes on pages 10 to 11 form part of these financial statements

REGISTERED NUMBER: 0733034 PASSION TRUST

BALANCE SHEET AT 31[ST] JULY 2024

		31.7.24	31.7.23
		Unrestricted	Unrestricted
		Funds	Funds
		£	£
	Notes
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors		9	-
Cash at bank		448	417
		___ __	_____
		457	417
CREDITORS
Amount falling due within one year	3	(4,818)	(983)
		_____	______
NET CURRENT ASSETS		(4,361)	(566)
		_____	_____
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT
LIABILITIES		(4,361)	(566)
		_____	______
NET ASSETS		£(4,361)	£(566)
		_____	_____
FUNDS
Unrestricted funds	4	(4,361)	(566)
		_____	______
TOTAL FUNDS		£(4,361)	£(566)
		_____	_____

Continued…..

The notes on pages 10 to 11 form part of these financial statements

PASSION TRUST

BALANCE SHEET - CONTINUED AT 31[ST] JULY 2024

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

The members have not required the charitable company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31[st] July 2023 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for

(a) ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Section 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and
(b) preparing financial statements which give a 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 Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small charitable companies.

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on 19 December 2024 and were signed on its behalf by:

A Stewart-Clark - Trustee

The notes on pages 10 to 11 form part of these financial statements

PASSION TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] JULY 2024

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial Statements

The financial Statements of the Charitable Company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) ‘Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)’ (effective 1[st] January 2015,’) Financial Reporting Standard 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland’ and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

Income

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

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the Charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings, they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Taxation

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

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

2. TRUSTEES’ REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees’ remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31[st] July 2024 nor for the year ended 31[st] July 2023.

Trustees’ expenses

There were no trustees’ expenses paid for the year ended 31[st] July 2024 nor for the year ended 31[st] July 2023.

Details of support costs are shown on the Statement of Financial Activities on page 7.

PASSION TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS- CONTINUED FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] JULY 2024

3.	CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR	CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
			31.7.24	31.7.23
			£	£
	Provision for Grants to Passion Plays		3,853	-
	Other creditors		965	983
			£4,818	£983
4.	MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
			Net movement in funds
			At 1.8.23	At 31.7.24
	Unrestricted funds
	General fund		(566)(3,795) (4,361)
	TOTAL FUNDS		£(566) £(3,795) £(4,361)
	Net movement in funds, included in the above	are as follows:
		Incoming	Resources	Movement
		resources	expended	in funds
	Unrestricted funds
	General fund	46,611	(50,406)	(3,795)
		_	______	_
	TOTAL FUNDS	£46,611	£(50,406)	£(3,795)

PASSION TRUST

DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] JULY 2024

INCOMING RESOURCES Voluntary income from Charitable Donations Grants from Trusts Donations received from individuals OUTGOING RESOURCES Passion Trust Charitable Donations Grants & Donations made to Passion Plays Provision for Grants to Passion Plays Resource Information Technology for Passion Plays INCOMING RESOURCES Donations to cover cost of generating voluntary income OUTGOING RESOURCES Cost of generating voluntary income Project expenditure – office refurbishment Fundraising Administration – office salaries Sundry expenses Accountancy governance fees Net (Expenditure)/Income	31.7.24 £ 27,450 - _ 27,450 21,500 3,853 2,097 _ 27,450 19,161 - 734 21,257 - 965 _ 22,956 _ £(3,795) _	31.7.23 £ 28,000 903 _ 28,903 26,426 - 2,477 _ 28,903 24,867 1,063 3,906 18,975 62 840 _ 24,8466 _ £21 _

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements