Approved
Blackpool Ice Drome Charities Association
Charity Number: 1143903
Annual Report and Financial Statement for the Year Ending 31[st] March 2023
Chair
Kerry Ashton,
1 Whitefield Close,
Rufford, Lancashire L40 1US
Bank
Lloyds Bank, 94 Fishergate,
Preston, Lancashire PR1 2JB.
Independent Examiner
Rev’d. A.A. Clements MA, ACIB, FCIE.
15 Carleton Road, Great Knowley,
Chorley, Lancashire PR6 8TQ
Contents
Annual Report Financial Statements Independent Examiners Report
Pages 1 - 5 Pages 6 - 7 Page 8
Blackpool Ice Drome Charities Association
Registered Charity Number: 1143903
Annual report for the Year Ending 31[st] March 2023
1. Administrative Information
BIDCA is the official charity name for Children Helping Children and is dedicated to the furtherance of ice sport and supporting Blackpool’s and the Fylde’s local sick, disabled or disadvantage children and has done since 1939.
The Committee includes the following full members:
Chair – Kerry Ashton
Secretary – Anna Williams
Treasurer – Wayne Ashton
Child Welfare Officer – Sarah Buschini
Committee Member – Clare Davies
Committee Member – Claire Mann
Committee Member – Anthony Swarbrick
Committee Member – Joanne Walsh
Co-opted Committee Member – Annette Wrigley
2. Structure, Governance and Management
The method of appointment of BIDCA members is set out in the 2022 Charity Constitution. All full members are encouraged to nominate themselves for election on to the committee.
The trustees have the power to act as directed in the Constitution.
All committee members must read and sign a code of conduct and a confidentiality agreement before they are able to sit on the committee. They must also sign in the minute
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records that they are willing to act in the trusts of the charity. Committee members will have the opportunity to discuss their role with the chair.
BIDCA has policies in place for Safeguarding. All full members and trustees undergo enhanced DBS checks on joining and every three years thereafter.
The contents and obligations of the Equality Act 2010, Data Protection Acts 1988 and 2003 and GDPR 2018 are known and complied with to the best of the committee’s ability.
It is considered that all trustees and any others who could be considered as having any management responsibilities in the running of BIDCA are deemed to be fit and proper persons under the terms of the Finance Act 2010.
3. Objectives and Activities
The Charity's objectives are:
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To advance the education of the general public in all aspect of ice skating;
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To provide facilities for ice skating in the interests of social welfare for children under 18 years of age through the provision of training, recreational and other leisure time occupation with the object of improving their conditions of life;
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To relieve, within the Fylde coast area of Lancashire, poverty, sickness and distress arising therefrom by the making of grants of money or monies worth to individuals under 18 years of age in conditions of need (‘the beneficiaries’) or organisations dealing with such beneficiaries so as to relieve such need.
4. Achievements and Performances
Following a two-year break due to the Covid pandemic, we were finally able to perform our annual Christmas show, Peter Pan a magical adventure on ice. 59 cast members performed 11 shows to a combined audience of 14,624 at the Blackpool Ice Arena during December 2022. In addition, we performed our annual charity show enabling 1,209 representatives from children’s charities across Blackpool and the Fylde Coast to attend, the tickets worth £15,112 were donated to the charities.
We were also asked to be part of the opening ceremonies for the Christmas by the sea Ice rink with the cast of the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing in November 2022, and to be part of the
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opening of the Lancaster festival village open air ice rink. Both events helped to raise the profile of our Christmas show.
BIDCA received no income in 2021-22, so we were unable to make any cash grants to local children’s charities this financial year. We used our cash reserves to fund our financial commitments.
5. Review of the Year (Chair)
As we conclude the year that saw us finally perform “Peter Pan a Magical Adventure on Ice” after postponing the show for 2 years due to the pandemic. We reflect on a year that started with some real challenges. We were concerned that after the pandemic, would we have enough skaters, with the right skills to cast an ice-skating show? Fortunately, we didn’t have to worry and I am delighted to report that 59 cast members with the right skating skills and enthusiasm put on an amazing show.
We were also concerned that we would not be able to attract enough audience given the pandemic and the challenging economic environment. The Trustees were conscious of setting the ticket prices at a level that is accessible to as many people as possible. I am pleased to report we attracted 15,704 people to watch the show and we received some positive feedback.
A highlight of the year as always is the charity performance, we invited 1,209 representatives from local Children’s charities from Blackpool and the Fylde Coast. The atmosphere at the show was electric and reminds us just why we do what we do. Our skaters respond to the atmosphere created by the audience, and everyone has an unforgettable time.
In November we were invited by Blackpool Council to perform at the opening of the outdoor ice rink on the tower Headland, it was an opportunity to work with some of our older skaters to perform some scenes from our Christmas show. The same skaters were also invited to perform at the opening of the Lancaster Christmas festive village and their open-air ice rink. Both events were a great way to promote BIDCA and our Christmas show.
As we come to the end of another year, we are busy planning the 2023 Christmas Show, “Alice Through the Looking Glass on ice: The Return to Wonder Land”. We have decided to change the way we produce and choreograph the show. The changes are to ensure we can continue be able to deliver the high standards our audiences expect as well as developing our young skaters and Blackpool Arena coaches.
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6. Financial Review (Treasurer)
Our principle fundraising event, the Christmas Show at Blackpool Ice Arena attracted 14,624 ticket sales. Ticket prices were increased to £12.50 for all seats apart from the fold down seats which were kept at £10. The trustees took this approach to balance the need to cover our costs with ensuring our show provides good value and is accessible to as many people as possible.
Total income for 2022/23 was £125,864 which is a 100% increase from the previous year.
Our income compared to our previous show year (2019) reduced by £35,000. This was due to selling 3,000 less tickets compared to the sell-out shows in 2019 and performing one less show. We also saw a drop in income from donations (collections, programmes, raffle tickets) and glow sticks of around £3,000. This reduction was due to changes in the way the venue used the foyer at the end of each show. In previous years we had exclusive access to the foyer, this year’s changes prevented us from holding free character photos and the opportunity for charity collections.
Total expenditure for 2022/23 was £110,457 which is £82,433 increase from the previous year
Comparing our expenditure to the 2019/20 financial year, our direct cost was reduced by £33,000. The Trustees decided not to issue any cash grants this year in order to rebuild the charities reserves. Although we were able to give away £15,112 worth of show tickets to our local children’s charities across Blackpool and the Fylde Coast.
In summary we were able to make a £15,407 profit on our costs, which is only £3,774 less than in 2019/20.
The overall position at the year-end of March 2023 leaves BIDCA in a strong position to prepare for this year’s show “Alice through the Looking Glass on Ice, The Return to Wonderland”.
This year’s performance has been a real success given its our first show following the pandemic. BIDCA continues to work within its means and is trading positively. The prudent action we have taken this year means we will be back to where we were before the Pandemic. We are therefore in a good position to proceed, with £140,276 in the bank to underwrite the costs of putting on the 2023 show; and maintaining our costumes and props.
It has been really challenging 3 years, but all the hard work and patience has paid off and BIDCA is in a healthy financial position. Thank you to the Trustee’s, members and parents for their continued help and support, without you none of this would be possible.
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7. Risk Assessment
BIDCA recognises that in relation to ‘Risk Assessment’, risk is defined as a ‘threat of any action or event which will adversely affect an organisation’s ability to achieve its objectives and execute its strategies’. It also accepts that the term ‘risk’ can include any circumstances that may, or do, have an adverse effect, and is wider than financial matters.
Risks relate not only to the negative consequences of a threat, but also to the impact of not taking advantage of opportunities.
BIDCA carries out Risk assessments for all of its purposes and activities.
The Covid Pandemic had a significant impact on BIDCA, and we were unable to undertake our primary fundraising activity the Christmas show. We were able to mitigate the impact of the risk because we were able to use our reserves to fund our critical activity and the associated costs over the two years. This confirms we have adopted the right reserves strategy.
BIDCA has insurance policies to cover its activities as well as its commitments associated with its storage unit.
8. Reserves Policy
BIDCA has a requirement to maintain a cash reserve to cover its committed liabilities and any uninsurable risks. These include the non-insured risks costs associated with its storage unit and the risk of any short fall as a result of a lower-than-expected ticket sales that mean BIDCA is unable to cover the show production costs. In addition, this is also used to cover our financial liability should we not be able to perform our show due to external factors like the Covid Pandemic. BIDCA currently has allocated a minimum reserve fund of £100,000 to cover these liabilities. This will be reviewed on an annual basis by the Trustee’s.
9. Future Plans
The 2023 show will be “Alice Through the Looking Glass on ice, The Return to Wonder Land” preparations are underway, and we are working with the venue to ensure the show can be performed to our high standard. We have already sold 1,500 tickets and made offers to 69 skaters for places in the show.
For and on behalf of the Trustees –
Position Treasurer
Dated 21[st] May 2023
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Blackpool Ice Drome Association, Charity Commission Registration No. 1143903. Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2023
| Receipts and Payments Account. | 2023 | 2023 | 2022 | 2022 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Fund - Unrestricted. | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Receipts | |||||
| Show Income | 84,666 | 0 | |||
| Cash Reg & Costume Contribution | 15,894 | 0 | |||
| Good Luck Messsages | 401 | 0 | |||
| Donations | 4,414 | 0 | |||
| Raffle, Programme, Glow Sticks | 9,196 | 0 | |||
| Gift Aid | 2,828 | 0 | |||
| Hoodies | 1,067 | 0 | |||
| DVD Sales | 980 | 0 | |||
| Aftershow Party | 1,090 | 0 | |||
| Costume Rental/other income | 5,154 | 0 | |||
| Bank Interest | 173 | 14 | |||
| Total Receipts | 125,864 | 14 | |||
| Payments | |||||
| Costumes | 12,231 | 0 | |||
| Wardrobe | 13,252 | 10,692 | |||
| Show Production | 43,438 | 4,667 | |||
| Aftershow Party | 2,365 | 0 | |||
| Raffle Costs | 396 | 0 | |||
| Props | 21,072 | 0 | |||
| I/T Website | 815 | 517 | |||
| Administration | 3,355 | 2,738 | |||
| Hoodies | 2,488 | 0 | |||
| DVD | 1,500 | 0 | |||
| Charity Donations | - | 7,520 | |||
| DBS/CRB | 300 | 0 | |||
| Insurance/Membership | 4,007 | 1890 | |||
| Advertising, Flyers, Marketing | 5,238 | - | |||
| Total Payments | 110,457 | 28,024 | |||
| Excess of Receipts over Payments | 15,407 | (28,010) | |||
| Bank Accounts as at 1st. April 2022 | 124,870 | 152,880 | |||
| Bank Accounts as at 31st. March 2023 inc. | 140,277 | 15,407 | 124,870 | ||
| (0) | Diff | (0) |
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| Blackpool Ice Drome Association. | Blackpool Ice Drome Association. | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at 31st March 2023 | |||||
| Monetary Assets | 2023 | General Fund | 2022 | General Fund | |
| Unrestricted | Unrestricted | ||||
| £ | £ | ||||
| Current | 3129 | 4206 | |||
| Account | |||||
| Notice | 137147 | 120,664 | |||
| Account | |||||
| Fund | 0 | ||||
| Raising | |||||
| Account | |||||
| Total at Bank | 140,276 | 124,870 | |||
| Cash in | 0 | ||||
| hand | |||||
| Total Funds | 140,276 | 124,870 | |||
| Debtors | 750 | 750 | |||
| Creditors | 300 | 300 | |||
| Other assets. | |||||
| Props. | 25000 | 10,000 | |||
| Wardrobe/costumes | 50000 | 40000 | |||
| Equipment | 5000 | 2,000 | |||
| Notes. | 1. The accounts have been prepared on the Receipts | and Payments basis. |
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No Trustee has received any remuneration for being a trustee of the charity.
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The valuation in respect of Props, Wardrobe/costumes and Equipment in based on the assumption that such items have a continuing worth for future productions.
Approved by the Trustees of the Blackpool Ice Drome Charities Association on 21st May 2023 and signed on their behalf by -
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………...
Wayne Ashton - Treasurer
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