2021-08-31-accounts - Birmingham Gay Symphony Orchestra

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Charity 1144646

BIRMINGHAM GAY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 August 2021

Birmingham Gay Symphony Orchestra

Charity 1144646

Administrative details

Charity Name

Birmingham Gay Symphony Orchestra

Working Name

BGSO

Charity Number

1144646, registered in England and Wales

Trustees

Victoria Evans Greg Hayes Philip Mills Mollie Smith

Bankers

Co-operative Bank plc, Delf Way, Skelmersdale. WN8 6GH

Charity Contact and Address

Philip Mills, Suite 2a, Blackthorn House, St Pauls Square, Birmingham, B3 1RL

Birmingham Gay Symphony Orchestra

Charity 1144646

Trustees’ Annual Report

The Trustees of the Charity present their Annual Report and Accounts for the 12 month period ended 31 August 2021.

Objectives and Activities

The objectives of Birmingham Gay Symphony Orchestra (‘BGSO’) are the advancement of the art of music by providing opportunities for people of all sexualities to explore, perform and experience music through musical rehearsals and performances, and to promote diversity and equality through these musical activities.

In the period under review, the charity’s sole activity was the operation of the LGBT orchestra also known as 'Birmingham Gay Symphony Orchestra'. This normally involves rehearsals on a bi-weekly basis, and typically three concerts each year at venues in Birmingham. For the majority of the year under review, the orchestra’s activities were suspended due to COVID-19 restrictions..

BGSO works together with other LGBT groups to promote the interests of the LGBT community.

The trustees have complied with their duty under Section 17(5) of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to guidance published by the Charity Commission on public benefit. In particular, they believe that the public benefit from the charity's work includes:

development of the musical skills and confidence of its players through rehearsals and performances
increased access to the arts for members of the public, particularly, but not exclusively, within the LGBT community and their families and friends, through performances
promoting a positive image of the LGBT community by providing the orchestra as a source of pride, and providing accessible performances to the public
supporting LGBT charities through fundraising at its concerts.

Achievements and Performance

During the usual concert season, from September to July, it was not possible to meet for rehearsals and to put on concerts, due to COVID-19 restrictions. The Charity continued to support its musicians by holding online social activities.

In August 2021, the orchestra met for a Play Day at the Midlands Arts Centre in Birmingham. This was a joint project with Rainbow Voices, and served as a chance for both groups to meet and rehearse again for the first time since March 2020. It

Birmingham Gay Symphony Orchestra

Charity 1144646

Trustees’ Annual Report (continued)

also helped to build links between the two groups and promote co-operation in LGBT cultural groups. The event was very successful and a useful re-launch postpandemic. We are grateful to Birmingham Pride Trust for their funding which made this possible.

Future Plans

In 2021-22 we hope to return to the pattern of bi-weekly rehearsals and three performances per year. This will start with a Christmas concert in December, followed by a more classically focussed March concert and a summer concert with wider musical content.

Financial Review

Income from donations was in level with last year, with an 18% drop in donations offset by a grant from Birmingham Pride Trust. Many members continued to pay subscriptions throughout the period of lockdown, but others were not able to meet the cost in this difficult period. Similarly, expenditure on charitable activities fell as no rehearsals or concerts took place, except the Play Day in August. Overall, funds increased to £15,581 (2020: £12,754). Of these funds, £1,251 were restricted (2020: £985). Free reserves are £14,330 (2020: £11,769).

Reserves Policy

The rustees have determined that reserves may be held that are sufficient to meet annual expenses, allowing for potential fluctuations and any projects planned. At the balance sheet date, unrestricted funds stood at £14,330 (2020: £11,769), representing approximately 36 months of planned expenditure. The Trustees believe that the reserves will help the Charity to adjust to changes in operating costs and to explore opportunities to develop the orchestra.

Going Concern

The Trustees consider that, due to the reserves held, and the way in which most expenditure flexes in line with income, and that special projects are undertaken only when funding has been received, it is appropriate to prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis. In doing so, they have considered likely outcomes for at least 12 months from the signing of this report.

Structure, Governance and Management

The Charity is constituted as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation and its governing document is the Constitution dated 2 June 2019. The constitution follows

Birmingham Gay Symphony Orchestra

Charity 1144646

Trustees’ Annual Report (continued)

the association model.

The Board includes a minimum of 3 trustees, who are elected at the Annual General Meeting by the members. One third of their number must retire by rotation at each AGM and may stand for re-election. No trustees are appointed by external bodies. The Charity is currently undergoing a skills audit and gap analysis in order to seek new trustees and strengthen the Board.

The day-to-day management of the orchestra is delegated to the Executive Committee, which includes all Trustees, a Chair, Treasurer and Secretary, plus other posts as are considered necessary from time to time. The three key posts listed above are elected at the AGM by the members; other posts are elected at open meetings of the Executive Committee.

The Executive Committee is overseen by the Board of Trustees, which reserves powers to set strategic objectives and budgets, govern the finances of the Charity, set policies and decide on membership of the Charity.

BGSO is a member of the ‘Making Music’ federation, which provides resources, advice and networking opportunities within the voluntary music sector.

In accordance with the Constitution, the Trustees do not receive remuneration for their office, and no commercial or financial transactions have been made with the Trustees in the period under review.

The Trustees during the year under review, and up to the date the accounts were approved, are listed on page 1.

Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

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 affairs of the Charity and of incoming resources and application of resources of the Charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
Observe the methods and principles of the Charities SORP;
Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
State whether applicable standards have been followed, subject to any
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Birmingham Gay Symphony Orchestra

Charity 1144646

Trustees’ Annual Report (continued)

material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;

Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to assume that the charity will continue in business.

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations and the provisions of the Charity’s governing document. 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.

Declaration

The Trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above. Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees:

Philip Mills 29 April 2022 Chair of Trustees

Birmingham Gay Symphony Orchestra

Charity Number 1144646

Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 August 2021

		Note	Unrestricted	Restricted	2021	2020
			Funds	Funds	Total	Total

INCOME
	Voluntaryincome	2	2,811	700	3,511	3,431
	Charitable activities	3	-	-	-	2,222
	TOTAL INCOME		2,811	700	3,511	5,653

EXPENDITURE
	Charitable activities	4	250	434	684	2,791
	TOTAL EXPENDITURE		250	434	684	2,791


NET INCOME BEING
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS			2,561	266	2,827	2,862

FUNDS BROUGHT FORWARD			11,769	985	12,754	9,892

FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD			14,330	1,251	15,581	12,754

Birmingham Gay Symphony Orchestra

Charity 1144646

Balance Sheet

at 31 August 2021

		Note	Unrestricted	Restricted	2021	2020
			Funds	Funds	Total	Total

CURRENT ASSETS
	Debtors	7	44	-	44	77
	Cash at Bank		16,086	1,251	17,337	14,477
			16,130	1,251	17,381	14,554

CREDITORS: Amounts falling
	due within 1year	8	1,800	-	1,800	1,800

NET CURRENT ASSETS			14,330	1,251	15,581	12,754

NET ASSETS			14,330	1,251	15,581	12,754

FUNDS
	Unrestricted		14,330	-	14,330	11,769
	Restricted		-	1,251	1,251	985
TOTAL FUNDS		9	14,330	1,251	15,581	12,754

These accounts were approved by the Board of Trustees on 29 April 2022, and authorised for signing on their behalf.

Philip Mills Chair of Trustees

Birmingham Gay Symphony Orchestra

Charity 1144646

Accounting policies

Note 1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES

1.1 Basis of preparation of accounts

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102),and the Charities Act 2011. In doing so, the Trustees believe that the accounts do not materially depart from Charities SORP 2005, which has been withdrawn.

The Charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.

1.2 Going concern

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis as the Trustees believe that no material uncertainties exist. The Trustees have considered the level of funds and expected income and expenditure for the following 12 month period.

1.3 Incoming resources
(a) Recognition of incoming resources

These are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when:

the Charity becomes entitled to the resources,
it is more likely than not that the Charity will receive the resources, and
the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability.
(b) Incoming resources with related expenditure

Where incoming resources have related expenditure (as with fundraising or contract income) the incoming resources and related

Birmingham Gay Symphony Orchestra

Charity 114646

Accounting policies (continued)

expenditure are reported gross in the SOFA.

Grants and donations are only included in the SOFA when the Charity has unconditional entitlement to the resources.

(d) Tax reclaims on donations and gifts

Incoming resources from tax reclaims are included in the SOFA at the same time as the gift to which they relate.

(e) Contractual income and performance related grants

This is only included in the SOFA once the related goods or services have been delivered.

(f) Volunteer help

The value of any voluntary help received is not included in the accounts but is described in the trustees’ annual report.

1.4 Changes in accounting policies

The accounts present a true and fair view and no changes have been made to the accounting policies adopted in Note 1.

1.5 Changes to accounting estimates

No changes to accounting estimates have occurred in the reporting period.

1.6 Material prior year errors

No material prior year errors have been identified in the reporting period.

1.7 Expenditure and liabilities
(a) Liability recognition

Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out funds.

(b) Charitable activities

These costs relate to the provision of musical rehearsals and concerts.

Birmingham Gay Symphony Orchestra

Charity 114646

Accounting policies (continued)

1.8 Offsetting

There has been no offsetting of assets and liabilities, or income and expenses, unless required or permitted by the FRS 102 SORP or FRS 102.

1.9 Debtors

Debtors (including trade debtors and loans receivable) are measured on initial recognition at settlement amount after any trade discounts or amount advanced by the charity. Subsequently, they are measured at the cash or other consideration expected to be received.

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Birmingham Gay Symphony Orchestra

Charity 1144646

Notes to the Accounts

Note 2 INCOME FROM DONATIONS

INCOME FROM DONATIONS	INCOME FROM DONATIONS
Unrestricted		Restricted	2021	2020
	funds	funds	Total	Total

Subscriptions	2,750	-	2,750	3,355
Donations	61	700	761	76
	2,811	700	3,511	3,431

Note 3 INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

Unrestricted	Unrestricted	Restricted	2021	2020
	funds	funds	Total	Total

Concerts	-	-	-	2,222
	-	-	-	2,222

Note 4 EXPENDITURE ON CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

Unrestricted	Unrestricted	Restricted	2021	2020
	funds	funds	Total	Total

Rehearsals &performances	-	434	434	1,938
Publicity	-	-	-	477
Insurance and administration	250	-	250	376
	250	434	684	2,791

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Birmingham Gay Symphony Orchestra

Charity 114646

Notes to the Accounts (continued)

Note 5 STAFF COSTS

There were no employees during the year (2020: nil).

Note 6 SUPPORT COSTS

There have been no support costs or governance costs in the year (2020: £nil).

Note 7 DEBTORS – amounts falling due within one year

Unrestricted	Unrestricted	Restricted	2021	2020
	funds	funds	Total	Total

Prepayments	44	-	44	77
	44	-	44	77

Note 8 CREDITORS – amounts falling due within one year

Unrestricted	Unrestricted	Restricted	2021	2020
	funds	funds	Total	Total

Accruals	1,800	-	1,800	1,800
	1,800	-	1,800	1,800

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Birmingham Gay Symphony Orchestra

Charity 114646

Notes to the Accounts (continued)

Note 9 FUNDS

		2020				2021
		brought forward	Income	Expenditure	Transfers	carried forward

Unrestricted		11,769	2,811	(250)	-	14,330

Restricted
	Pride arts consortium	985	-	(434)	-	551
	Musical scores	-	700	-	-	700
		985	700	(434)	-	1,251

		12,754	3,511	(684)	-	15,581

Unrestricted Restricted Pride arts consortium		2019 2020 brought forward Income Expenditure Transfers carried forward 8,907 5,653 (2,791) - 11,769 985 - - - 985 9,892 5,653 (2,791) - 12,754

The Pride arts consortium fund is for developing partnerships amongst LGBT arts groups. The music scores fund is for purchasing sheet music for the orchestra. Both were received from Birmingham Pride Community Fund.

Note 10 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The Trustees received no remuneration (2020: £nil) and were paid no expenses (2020: £nil). There were no other transactions with the Trustees or any other related party transactions (2020: £nil).

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