Approved and Verified
Blackpool Ice Drome Charities Association Charity Number: 1143903
Annual Report and Financial Statement for the Year Ending 31[st] March 2024
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 2024
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 Committee Member – Joanne Rata Committee Member – Dudley Cox
Committee Member – Joanne Solanki
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.
1
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 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:
-
To advance the education of the general public in all aspect of ice skating;
-
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;
-
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
We performed our annual Christmas show, Alice through the looking Glass a Magical Adventure on Ice. 61 cast members performed 10 shows to a combined audience of 10,871 people at the Blackpool Ice Arena during December 2023. In addition, we performed our annual charity performance enabling 1,400 representatives from children’s charities across
2
Blackpool and the Fylde Coast to attend, the tickets were donated free of charge providing a £17,980 benefit to the charities.
We were invited back 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 2023. The event helped to raise the profile of our Christmas show.
BIDCA made cash grants to support 2 skaters attend the Ice skating British Championships and a cash Grant to Brian House children’s hospice on the Fylde Coast. The total cash grants made totalled £7,000.
5. Review of the Year (Chair)
Our principle fundraising event the annual Christmas show was “Alice Through the Looking Glass on ice: The Return to Wonder Land”. We reflect on a year with a backdrop of significant economic pressure on households in the country. This was reflected in the slower than expected ticket sales leading to a significant reduction in income. However, I am delighted to report that 61 cast members with the right skating skills and enthusiasm put on an amazing show.
A highlight of the year as always is the charity performance, we invited 1,400 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 had a memorable time. In addition, we were able to grant £6,000 to Brian House and £1,000 to support 2 skaters at the British championships.
In November we were invited by Blackpool Council to perform at the opening of the outdoor ice rink on the tower Headland. This was an opportunity to work with some of our older skaters to perform.
As we come to the end of another year, we are busy planning the 2024 Christmas Show, “Snow White a Fairy tail Adventure on Ice”. Tickets have been on sale since February, we have held the ticket prices at the same price as last year, giving our customers great value.
6. Financial Review (Treasurer)
Our principal fundraising event, the Christmas Show at Blackpool Ice Arena attracted 10,871 ticket sales. We introduced a 3 ticket prices, A £15 ticket, a £13 nonpremium ticket a £10 ticket for the fold down seats. The trustees took this approach to balance the need to cover
3
our costs whilst ensuring our show provides good value and is accessible to as many people as possible.
Total income for 2023/24 was £92,282 a reduction of £33,581 from the previous year.
This was due to selling 3,583 less tickets compared to last year’s show. 600 of these tickets were due to the cancelled first show following a fault with the ice making machinery. The reduction on ticket sales was also reflective of the economic climate with most of the other Christmas shows across Blackpool experiencing reduced tickets sales. This was further compounded by the Pleasure Beach’s own pantomime being in direct completion with our show.
Total expenditure for 2023/24 was £110,154 which is within £300 of last year’s expenditure.
This year we made a loss of £17,871. We saw reduction in income of £43,456 compared to last year. We have insurance cover to reduce the financial risk due to show cancellation. We are working with our insurer to recover the loss of income and the associated costs.
We have made provisions to ensure we have sufficient funds to be available for this type of eventuality. The economic climate is improving, which should have a positive impact on tickets sales for the 2024 show. We will need to focus on our marketing strategy to maximise the opportunity to sell more tickets.
The overall position at the year-end of March 2024 still leaves BIDCA in a strong position to prepare for this year’s show “Snow White a Fairy-tale Adventure on Ice”,
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.
BIDCA has insurance policies to cover its activities as well as its commitments associated with its storage unit.
7. 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
4
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.
8. Future Plans
The 2024 show will be “Snow White a Fairy tail Adventure on Ice” preparations are underway, and we are working with the venue to ensure the show can be performed to our high standard. Tickets went on sale in February and BIDCA has made offers to 64 skaters to skate as cast members this year.
For and on behalf of the Trustees –
Position Treasurer
Dated 11[th] May 2024
5
Blackpool Ice Drome Association, Charity Commission Registration No. 1143903. Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2024
| Receipts and Payments Account. | 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | 2023 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Fund - Unrestricted. | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Receipts | ||||||
| Show Income | 57,326 | 84,666 | ||||
| Cash Reg & Costume Contribution | 19,575 | 15,894 | ||||
| Good Luck Messsages | 520 | 401 | ||||
| Donations | 5,128 | 4,414 | ||||
| Raffle, Programme, Glow Sticks | 3,944 | 9,196 | ||||
| Gift Aid | 0 | 2,828 | ||||
| Hoodies | 653 | 1,067 | ||||
| DVD Sales | 0 | 980 | ||||
| Aftershow Party | 769 | 1,090 | ||||
| Costume Rental/other income | 2,132 | 5,154 | ||||
| Bank Interest | 2,236 | 173 | ||||
| Total Receipts | 92,282 | 125,864 | ||||
| Payments | ||||||
| Costumes | 10,737 | 12,231 | ||||
| Wardrobe | 12,974 | 13,252 | ||||
| Show Production | 49,273 | 43,438 | ||||
| Aftershow Party | 875 | 2,365 | ||||
| Raffle Costs | - | 396 | ||||
| Props | 7,551 | 21,072 | ||||
| I/T Website | 815 | |||||
| Administration | 6,635 | 3,355 | ||||
| Hoodies | 2,184 | 2,488 | ||||
| DVD | - | 1,500 | ||||
| Charity Donations | 7,000 | - | ||||
| DBS/CRB | 174 | 300 | ||||
| Insurance/Membership | 3,533 | 4,007 | ||||
| Advertising, Flyers, Marketing | 9,219 | 5,238 | ||||
| Total Payments | 110,154 | 110,457 | ||||
| Excess of Receipts over Payments | (17,871) | 15,407 | ||||
| Bank Accounts as at 1st. April 2023 | 140,277 | 124,870 | ||||
| Bank Accounts as at 31st. March 2024 inc. | 122,406 | (17,871) | 140,277 | |||
| 0 | Diff | (0) | Diff |
6
Blackpool Ice Drome Association.
| Blackpool Ice Drome Association. | Blackpool Ice Drome Association. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at 31st March 2024 | ||||
| Monetary Assets | 2024 | General Fund | 2023 | General Fund |
| Unrestricted | Unrestricted | |||
| £ | £ | |||
| Current | 4,031 | 3,129 | ||
| Account | ||||
| Notice | 118,375 | 137,147 | ||
| Account | ||||
| Fund | ||||
| Raising | ||||
| Account | ||||
| Total at Bank | 122,406 | 140,276 | ||
| Cash in | ||||
| hand | ||||
| Total Funds | ||||
| 122,406 | 0 | 140,276 | ||
| Debtors | 750 | 750 | ||
| Creditors | 300 | 300 | ||
| Other assets. | ||||
| Props. | 30,000 | 25,000 | ||
| Wardrobe/costumes | 60,000 | 50,000 | ||
| Equipment | 6,000 | 5,000 |
Notes. 1. The accounts have been prepared on the Receipts and Payments basis.
-
No Trustee has received any remuneration for being a trustee of the charity.
-
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 10th May 2024 and signed on their behalf by -
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………...
Wayne Ashton - Treasurer
7
IndependeBt Examins ReporL Independent Examiner's Rqkn to the TnL&s of the Blxkp(x)I Ice Dmme Charities AlatIOn. J report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended i 1°. March 2024, which are set out on pages 6 to 7 of this Rewit RpectIVe mponsibilit of the trustees *Dd euminer. The eharAty's trnstees a respK)nsible for the prepaTati(M of the accoun The ch8Tity's tnle¢S ¢onsider that an audit is not required for this yeaT under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and thaT an independt examination is needed. It is my sponsibl11ty to . examine the accounts under sc¢tion 145 of the 2011 Act follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Chariry CoTnmissioner under tIOn 145 (5) (b) of the 2011 Act: and to state whether particular rnattets have come to my attention. Basis of the illdepelldent aaminer's reporL My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a ffview ofthe accounting records kept b), the charity and a Comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of anv unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from )"ou as trustees concemino an!. such matters. The procedure5 undertaken do not provide all the eIdenCe that M'ould rryuired in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts Present a.true and fair view 8nd the report is limiied to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent examiner's ststemenL In connection with my examinatio no matter has colne to mv attention: which gives me reasonable cause to believe that Èn an) tnaterial rewt the requirements to keep accounting records in 0[dance ii.ith section IJO of the 2011 ACL and to prepared accounts which accord M'ith the accouniino reeords and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been meL or 2. to whid¥ in my Opinio attention SIKld be dTawn in order to enabk a PfOPCT understanding of the accounts to be reached. me Rev'd. A. A. Clements. Fellow of the Association of CRwity Ind4Kry)d¢nt ExamitRrs. Rev'd. A. A. Clernents MK ACIB, FCIE. 15 Carleton Ro& ar¢at Knowley. Chorley PR6 ¥ro. Date 16". January 2025.