Company registration number: 07768331 Charity registration number: 1144349
## Stoke Youth Musical Theatre Company
known as
Stoke Youth, SYMTC, SYMTA (A company limited by guarantee) Annual Report and Financial Statements
for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
Daryl Denson ACMA VAST The Dudson Centre Hoe Street Stoke on Trent ST1 5DD
## **Stoke Youth Musical Theatre Company**
## **known as Stoke Youth, SYMTC, SYMTA**
## **Contents**
|Reference and Administrative Details|1|
|---|---|
|Trustees' Report|2 to 3|
|Independent Examiner's Report|4|
|Statement of Financial Activities|5 to 6|
|Balance Sheet|7|
|Notes to the Financial Statements|8 to 17|
## **Stoke Youth Musical Theatre Company**
## **known as Stoke Youth, SYMTC, SYMTA Reference and Administrative Details**
**Trustees** Kevin Downward, Chair Christopher Bell Paul Bolam Beverley Capon Paul Hassall Ann Mason Zoe Shone Laura Cooper Joanne Kempson **Secretary** Kevin Downward, Chair **Charity Registration Number** 1144349 **Company Registration Number** 07768331 The charity is incorporated in England. **Registered Office** 97 London Road Chesterton Newcastle-under-Lyme ST5 7LR **Principal Office** 5a Westmill Street Hanley Stoke-on-Trent Staffordshire ST1 3EL **Independent Examiner** Daryl Denson ACMA VAST The Dudson Centre Hoe Street Stoke on Trent ST1 5DD **Bankers** Unity Trust Bank 9 Brindley Place Birmingham B1 2HB
Page 1
## **Stoke Youth Musical Theatre Company**
## **known as Stoke Youth, SYMTC, SYMTA**
## **Trustees' Report (incorporating Directors' Report)**
The trustees, who are directors for the purposes of company law, present the annual report together with the financial statements of the charitable company for the year ended 31 December 2024.
## **Trustees and officers**
The trustees and officers serving during the year and since the year end were as follows:
Trustees: Kevin Downward, Chair Christopher Bell Paul Bolam Beverley Capon Paul Hassall Ann Mason Zoe Shone Laura Cooper (appointed 1 April 2024) Joanne Kempson (appointed 29 May 2025)
## **Objectives and activities**
## _**Objects and aims**_
The objects of the charity are to educate the public in the dramatic and operatic arts, and to further the development of public appreciation and taste in the said arts, with particular emphasis on the development of young people through the medium of musical theatre.
## _**Public benefit**_
The main way of delivering the charity's objectives is through the staging of full-length musicals and the provision of training and education in the performing arts.
Participation in these musical productions is through an open audition process. The charity provides a programme of workshops, rehearsals, concerts and various other performances.
In addition, the charity provides training and entrance into the LAMDA (London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art) examination scheme, alongside other workshops through the Stoke Youth Academy.
The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
## **Achievements and performance**
During the year the charity staged three full musicals, a play and several concerts. We worked directly with an estimated 150 children and young people.
The Academy continues to be very popular, currently operating close to full capacity and an increasing number of students were entered into LAMDA examinations (all achieving distinction level results).
Page 2
## **Stoke Youth Musical Theatre Company**
## **known as Stoke Youth, SYMTC, SYMTA**
## **Trustees' Report (incorporating Directors' Report)**
## **Structure, governance and management**
## _**Nature of governing document**_
The charitable company is governed under its memorandum and articles of association adopted on 9 September 2011.
## _**Recruitment and appointment of trustees**_
Trustees are appointed by members of the charity at its AGM. Existing trustees retire (and may stand for re-appointment) in rotation.
## **Financial review**
The results for the year are set out in the Statement of Financial Activities.
## _**Policy on reserves**_
The policy of the charity is to aim to hold around £30,000 of unrestricted reserves which is estimated to be enough to cover a loss on a show and around a year’s running costs for the premises if there is a close down period.
The unrestricted free reserves at the end of the period are £37,627 (2023:£39,776).
## **Small companies provision statement**
This report has been prepared in accordance with the small companies regime under the Companies Act 2006.
The annual report was approved by the trustees of the charity on 12 August 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
......................................... Kevin Downward Company secretary and trustee
Page 3
## **Stoke Youth Musical Theatre Company**
## **known as Stoke Youth, SYMTC, SYMTA**
## **Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of Stoke Youth Musical Theatre Company ('the Company')**
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 December 2024.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity’s trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) 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 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
## **Independent examiner’s statement**
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:
1. accounting records were not kept in respect of Stoke Youth Musical Theatre Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
3. 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
4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods 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 (FRS 102)].
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.
...................................... Daryl Denson ACMA
VAST The Dudson Centre Hoe Street Stoke on Trent ST1 5DD
18/09/2025 Date:.............................
Page 4
## **Stoke Youth Musical Theatre Company**
## **known as Stoke Youth, SYMTC, SYMTA**
## **Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 (Including Income and Expenditure Account and Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses)**
|**Note**
**Income and Endowments from:**
Donations and legacies
3
Charitable activities
4
Other trading activities
5
Total income
**Expenditure on:**
Charitable activities
6
Total expenditure
Net (expenditure)/income
Transfers between funds
Net movement in funds
**Reconciliation of funds**
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
14|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**£**
23,422
89,600
203
113,225
(115,740)
(115,740)
(2,515)
(139)
(2,654)
39,776
37,122|**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
10,000
-
-
10,000
(7,080)
(7,080)
2,920
139
3,059
-
3,059|**Total**
**2024**
**£**
33,422
89,600
203|
|---|---|---|---|
||||123,225|
||||(122,820)|
||||(122,820)|
||||405
-|
||||405
39,776|
||||40,181|
The notes on pages 8 to 17 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 5
## **Stoke Youth Musical Theatre Company**
## **known as Stoke Youth, SYMTC, SYMTA**
## **Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 (Including Income and Expenditure Account and Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses)**
|**Note**
**Income and Endowments from:**
Donations and legacies
3
Charitable activities
4
Other trading activities
5
Total income
**Expenditure on:**
Charitable activities
6
Total expenditure
Net expenditure
Net movement in funds
**Reconciliation of funds**
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
14|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**£**
18,629
74,271
617
93,517
(95,076)
(95,076)
(1,559)
(1,559)
41,335
39,776|**Total**
**2023**
**£**
18,629
74,271
617|
|---|---|---|
|||93,517|
|||(95,076)|
|||(95,076)|
|||(1,559)|
|||(1,559)
41,335|
|||39,776|
All of the charity's activities derive from continuing operations during the above two periods.
The notes on pages 8 to 17 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 6
## **Stoke Youth Musical Theatre Company**
## **known as Stoke Youth, SYMTC, SYMTA**
## **(Registration number: 07768331) Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2024**
|||**2024**|**2023**|
|---|---|---|---|
||**Note**|**£**|**£**|
|**Fixed assets**||||
|Tangible assets|10|3,059|-|
|**Current assets**||||
|Debtors|11|6,990|7,914|
|Cash at bank and in hand|12|33,651|37,882|
|||40,641|45,796|
|**Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year**|13|(3,519)|(6,020)|
|**Net current assets**||37,122|39,776|
|**Net assets**||40,181|39,776|
|**Funds of the charity:**||||
|**Restricted income funds**||||
|Restricted funds||3,059|-|
|**Unrestricted income funds**||||
|Unrestricted funds||37,122|39,776|
|**Total funds**|14|40,181|39,776|
For the financial year ending 31 December 2024 the charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
Directors' responsibilities:
- The members have not required the charity to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476; and
- The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
The financial statements on pages 5 to 17 were approved by the trustees, and authorised for issue on 12 August 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
......................................... Kevin Downward Company secretary and trustee
The notes on pages 8 to 17 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 7
## **Stoke Youth Musical Theatre Company**
## **known as Stoke Youth, SYMTC, SYMTA**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024**
## **1 Charity status**
The charity is limited by guarantee, incorporated in England, and consequently does not have share capital. Each of the trustees is liable to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 towards the assets of the charity in the event of liquidation.
The charity is incorporated in England. The registered office address is 97 London Road, Chesterton, Newcastle under Lyme, Staffordshire, ST5 7LR.
The principal place of business is: 5a Westmill Street Hanley Stoke-on-Trent Staffordshire ST1 3EL
## **2 Accounting policies**
## **Summary of significant accounting policies and key accounting estimates**
The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.
## **Statement of compliance**
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 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 January 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102). They also comply with the Companies Act 2006 and Charities Act 2011.
## **Basis of preparation**
Stoke Youth Musical Theatre Company meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes.
## **Going concern**
The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern nor any significant areas of uncertainty that affect the carrying value of assets held by the charity.
## **Income and endowments**
All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of the income receivable can be measured reliably.
Page 8
## **Stoke Youth Musical Theatre Company**
## **known as Stoke Youth, SYMTC, SYMTA**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024**
## _**Donations and legacies**_
Donations are recognised when the charity has been notified in writing of both the amount and settlement date. In the event that a donation is subject to conditions that require a level of performance by the charity before the charity is entitled to the funds, the income is deferred and not recognised until either those conditions are fully met, or the fulfilment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the charity and it is probable that these conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting period.
## _**Grants receivable**_
Grants are recognised when the charity has an entitlement to the funds and any conditions linked to the grants have been met. Where performance conditions are attached to the grant and are yet to be met, the income is recognised as a liability and included on the balance sheet as deferred income to be released.
## **Expenditure**
All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, it is probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate similar costs to that category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of resources, with central staff costs allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use. Other support costs are allocated based on the spread of staff costs.
## _**Charitable activities**_
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
## **Governance costs**
These include the costs attributable to the charity’s compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements, including independent examination, strategic management and trustees’s meetings and reimbursed expenses.
## **Taxation**
The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.
## **Tangible fixed assets**
Individual fixed assets costing £0.00 or more are initially recorded at cost, less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses.
Page 9
## **Stoke Youth Musical Theatre Company**
## **known as Stoke Youth, SYMTC, SYMTA**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024**
## **Depreciation and amortisation**
Depreciation is provided on tangible fixed assets so as to write off the cost or valuation, less any estimated residual value, over their expected useful economic life as follows:
## **Asset class**
Furniture and equipment
## **Depreciation method and rate**
5 years straight line
## **Trade debtors**
Trade debtors are amounts due from customers for merchandise sold or services performed in the ordinary course of business.
Trade debtors are recognised initially at the transaction price. They are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less provision for impairment. A provision for the impairment of trade debtors is established when there is objective evidence that the charity will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the receivables.
## **Cash and cash equivalents**
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.
## **Trade creditors**
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Accounts payable are classified as current liabilities if the charity does not have an unconditional right, at the end of the reporting period, to defer settlement of the creditor for at least twelve months after the reporting date. If there is an unconditional right to defer settlement for at least twelve months after the reporting date, they are presented as non-current liabilities.
Trade creditors are recognised initially at the transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
## **Fund structure**
Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity.
Restricted income funds are those donated for use in a particular area or for specific purposes, the use of which is restricted to that area or purpose.
Page 10
## **Stoke Youth Musical Theatre Company**
## **known as Stoke Youth, SYMTC, SYMTA**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024**
## **3 Income from donations and legacies**
|Donations and legacies;
Donations from individuals
Gift aid reclaimed
Grants, including capital grants;
Grants from other charities
Theatre Tax Relief
Donations and legacies;
Donations from individuals
Gift aid reclaimed
Theatre Tax Relief|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**General**
**£**
278
4,480
-
18,664
23,422|**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
-
-
10,000
-
10,000
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**General**
**£**
797
4,840
12,992
18,629|**Total**
**2024**
**£**
278
4,480
10,000
18,664|
|---|---|---|---|
||||33,422|
||||**Total**
**2023**
**£**
797
4,840
12,992|
||||18,629|
Page 11
## **Stoke Youth Musical Theatre Company**
## **known as Stoke Youth, SYMTC, SYMTA**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024**
## **4 Income from charitable activities**
|Premises Hire
Show Income
Membership
Other
Workshop Income
Costume, Set and Prop Hire
Premises Hire
Show Income
Membership
Fundraising
Workshop Income
**5**
**Income from other trading activities**
Local fundraising and street collection income
Local fundraising and street collection income|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**General**
**£**
7,557
65,317
12,539
51
2,316
1,820
89,600
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**General**
**£**
6,360
55,270
10,362
296
1,983
74,271
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**General**
**£**
203
203
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**General**
**£**
617
617|**Total**
**2024**
**£**
7,557
65,317
12,539
51
2,316
1,820|
|---|---|---|
|||89,600|
|||**Total**
**2023**
**£**
6,360
55,270
10,362
296
1,983|
|||74,271|
|||**Total**
**2024**
**£**
203|
|||203|
|||**Total**
**2023**
**£**
617|
|||617|
Page 12
## **Stoke Youth Musical Theatre Company**
## **known as Stoke Youth, SYMTC, SYMTA**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024**
## **6 Expenditure on charitable activities**
|Production costs
Workshop costs
Premises costs
Insurance
Subscriptions
Sundry expenditure
Bank charges
Professional Fees
Governance Costs
Depreciation
Production costs
Workshop costs
Premises costs
Insurance
Subscriptions
Sundry expenditure
Bank charges
Governance Costs|**Activity**
**undertaken**
**directly**
**£**
76,964
11,430
26,561
315
287
2,521
137
2,760
600
765
122,340
**Activity**
**undertaken**
**directly**
**£**
52,593
10,868
27,910
302
2,108
567
153
575
95,076|**2024**
**£**
76,964
11,430
26,561
315
287
2,521
137
2,760
600
765|
|---|---|---|
|||122,340|
|||**2023**
**£**
52,593
10,868
27,910
302
2,108
567
153
575|
|||95,076|
£115,260 (2023 - £95,076) of the above expenditure was attributable to unrestricted funds and £7,080 (2023 - £Nil) to restricted funds.
Page 13
## **Stoke Youth Musical Theatre Company**
## **known as Stoke Youth, SYMTC, SYMTA**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024**
## **7 Analysis of governance and support costs**
## **Governance costs**
|Independent examiner fees
Examination of the financial statements
Independent examiner fees
Examination of the financial statements|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**General**
**£**
600
600
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**General**
**£**
575
575|**Total**
**2024**
**£**
600|
|---|---|---|
|||600|
|||**Total**
**2023**
**£**
575|
|||575|
## **8 Trustees remuneration and expenses**
No trustees, nor any persons connected with them, have received any remuneration from the charity during the year.
No trustees have received any reimbursed expenses or any other benefits from the charity during the year.
## **9 Taxation**
The charity is a registered charity and is therefore exempt from taxation.
Page 14
## **Stoke Youth Musical Theatre Company**
## **known as Stoke Youth, SYMTC, SYMTA**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024**
## **10 Tangible fixed assets**
|**Cost**
Additions
At 31 December 2024
**Depreciation**
Charge for the year
At 31 December 2024
**Net book value**
At 31 December 2024
**11 Debtors**
Trade debtors
Prepayments
Other debtors
**12 Cash and cash equivalents**
Cash at bank
**13 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**
Trade creditors
Other creditors
Accruals||**Furniture and**
**equipment**
**£**
3,824
3,824
765
765
3,059
**2024**
**£**
1,350
5,640
-
6,990
**2024**
**£**
33,651
**2024**
**£**
1,085
-
2,434
3,519|**Furniture and**
**equipment**
**£**
3,824
3,824
765
765
3,059
**2024**
**£**
1,350
5,640
-
6,990
**2024**
**£**
33,651
**2024**
**£**
1,085
-
2,434
3,519|**Total**
**£**
3,824
3,824
765
765
3,059
**2023**
**£**
1,150
6,505
259|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||3,824|||
|||765|||
|||765|||
|||3,059|||
|||**2024**
**£**
1,350
5,640
-
6,990
**2024**
**£**
33,651
**2024**
**£**
1,085
-
2,434
3,519|||
|||||7,914|
|||||**2023**
**£**
37,882|
|||||**2023**
**£**
-
460
5,560|
|||||6,020|
Page 15
## **Stoke Youth Musical Theatre Company**
## **known as Stoke Youth, SYMTC, SYMTA**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024**
## **14 Funds**
|**Unrestricted funds**
**_General_**
General Funds
**Restricted funds**
The Gosling Foundation
**Total funds**
**Unrestricted funds**
**_General_**
General Funds|**Balance at**
**1 January**
**2024**
**£**
**Incoming**
**resources**
**£**
**Resources**
**expended**
**£**
**Transfers**
**£**
**Balance at**
**31**
**December**
**2024**
**£**
39,776
113,225
(115,740)
(139)
37,122
-
10,000
(7,080)
139
3,059
39,776
123,225
(122,820)
-
40,181
**Balance at 1**
**January 2023**
**£**
**Incoming**
**resources**
**£**
**Resources**
**expended**
**£**
**Balance at 31**
**December**
**2023**
**£**
41,335
93,517
(95,076)
39,776|**Balance at**
**31**
**December**
**2024**
**£**
37,122
3,059|
|---|---|---|
|||40,181|
||||
The specific purposes for which the funds are to be applied are as follows:
The Gosling Foundation
Funding was received to purchase equipment for use in performances and training, and to refresh the studio to enhance members' experience and expand delivery opportunities.
During the year there was a small transfer of funds from unrestricted to restricted funds to cover additonal costs of the Gosling Foundation project.
Page 16
## **Stoke Youth Musical Theatre Company**
## **known as Stoke Youth, SYMTC, SYMTA**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024**
## **15 Analysis of net assets between funds**
|Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Total net assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Total net assets|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**General**
**£**
-
40,641
(3,519)
37,122|**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
3,059
-
-
3,059
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**General**
**£**
45,796
(6,020)
39,776|**Total funds**
**at 31**
**December**
**2024**
**£**
3,059
40,641
(3,519)|
|---|---|---|---|
||||40,181|
||||**Total funds**
**at 31**
**December**
**2023**
**£**
45,796
(6,020)|
||||39,776|
## **16 Related party transactions**
There were no related party transactions in the year.
Page 17