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2023-04-05-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements

for year ended 5 April 2023

Registered Charity Number 1145392

THE BERKELEY ENSEMBLE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2023 Reference and Administrative Details of the Charity

Charity Name The Berkeley Ensemble
Charity Registration Number 1145392
Registered address 36 Durban Rd
London
SE27 9RP
Constitution Charity governed by Trust Deed
dated 9 September 2011
Trustees Jane Ainger
Ruth Coles (from January 2023)
Jennie Hartley (from January 2023)
Kate Kennedy
Daniel Shilladay
Frances Slack (until January 2023)
George Vass
Diego Trucco (from December 2023)
Patrons Lord Berkeley of Knighton CBE
Petroc Trelawny
Bankers Co-operative Bank plc
PO Box 250
Skelmersdale WN8 6WT
Independent Examiner Sarah-Jane Minot
Ensemble Members Sophie Mather – Violin
Francesca Barritt – Violin
Daniel Shilladay – Viola
Gemma Wareham – Cello
John Slack – Clarinet
Andrew Watson – Bassoon
Paul Cott – Horn
Martin Ludenbach – Double Bass

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THE BERKELEY ENSEMBLE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2023

Trustees’ Annual Report

Structure, Governance and Management

The Trust Deed is the governing document for the trust. Trustees are presently recruited, appointed and trained by the existing trustees. No external persons are entitled to appoint trustees. Trustee meetings are usually held at least three times a year to review the financial and operational state of the charity and to make key strategic decisions. In 2022/23 the trustees met three times.

Objectives and Activities

The charity’s objects, as set out in its governing document, are:

The charity’s activities to achieve the objects as listed above include the organisation of concerts, which regularly include twentieth and twenty-first century British repertoire, and delivery of regular education workshops to inspire and educate students at primary and secondary schools across the United Kingdom.

The trustees have had regard to Charity Commission guidance on public benefit. The ensemble established ‘Berkeley Ensemble Online’, in 2020, an online collection of video material supporting GCSE music. This was freely available to all throughout 2022/23.

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From left to right: Gemma and Martin perform at Brixton’s Assembly Coffee Roastery; the ensemble in conversation with Southbank Sinfonia’s Simon Over at St. John’s, Smith Square; with composer Kevin Raftery at the recording of his Fourth Companion , Stapleford Granary, Cambridgeshire.

Achievements and Performance

The ensemble’s focus on education and outreach projects throughout the 2022-23 year reflected the slow return post-pandemic of live concert giving, but conversely, also the strength of many of the group’s ongoing educational partnerships.

In April, players returned to Ibstock Place School, Roehampton, to rehearse with and accompany music scholars in a concert of soloists’ items. Specially arranged accompaniments for the whole ensemble were provided by Paul, where required, lending a sense of occasion and collaborative chamber music-making to the event.

Composer Kevin Raftery’s new quartet for bassoon and string trio, Fourth Companion , was recorded by the group in May at Stapleford Granary, Cambridgeshire, for future release on the Divine Arts label. The venue proved well-suited to recording and it is hoped that the ensemble may build on this relationship in the future.

May and June saw return visits to Portland Place School, the Royal Ballet School and Ibstock Place School, all in London. At each, the ensemble worked with composers, workshopping and recording their work.

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The annual Chaffcombe chamber course for amateur players ran (with a newly extended format including an extra half day) from 19-22 May. 18 amateur musicians attended, broadly in line with previous years and despite changes to course length and timing. The weekend included three performances – a evening recital by the Berkeley Ensemble, some pre-dinner entertainment by all the musicians present and a final, free-to-attend showcase concert given by the participants.

On Sunday 14 August, the ensemble performed a private, informal programme at Brixton’s Assembly Coffee Roastery. The programme saw previous Berkeley Ensemble bassist Lachlan Radford (who was visiting from New Zealand) unite with current bassist Martin Ludenbach and cellist Gemma Wareham to perform an eclectic mixture of repertoire for cello and bass. The invited audience was formed of Berkeley Ensemble Friends, as well as friends and family of the performers, and the event worked well. The venue may be useful for future informal performances.

In December the ensemble made a welcome return to the public concert stage with recitals at Luton Music and Conway Hall and a programme of music by Mozart, Brahms and Dohnányi. In February, players featured in a supporters’ event for Southbank Sinfonia, part of the orchestra’s twentieth anniversary celebrations. They performed a short recital and discussed the orchestra’s influence on the group with Southbank Sinfonia’s music director, Simon Over, as well as taking questions from the audience.

The ongoing collaboration with the David Ross Education Trust (DRET), continued, reaching its third consecutive year. As before, the ensemble worked closely with secondary composing students from across the trust during the spring term, both online and in person. Again, the project included a teachers’ CPD day in January with Jen Hartley, a specialist in the teaching of composition. As in previous years, the ensemble also enjoyed taking part in the trust-wide Secondary Music Festival at Nottingham’s Albert Hall, performing selected compositions and adjudicating performance classes.

Financial Review

The financial results for 2022/23 show that The Berkeley Ensemble incurred an overall surplus of £806 during the year, £256 of this was in general funds, and £550 in restricted funds. The ensemble continued its investment Berkeley Ensemble Online, an online education platform, and continued to support the administrator position for as long as Annabel Leakey was in post. Following her departure in September 2022, administrative duties were undertaken on an ad hoc basis by ensemble members John Slack and Gemma Wareham. They were both renumerated at a comparable rate to Annabel Leakey. Trustees have decided that the charity should aim to hold unrestricted, undesignated reserves of up to £15,000, based on an evaluation of the future operational risks faced by the ensemble’s pattern of activities. The amount held at the end of 22/23 was £12,021.

The most significant risks faced by the ensemble stem from a continuing uncertain economic environment, including the impact on engagement bookings and concert attendance. This also affects the future of the Little Venice Music Festival and the ensemble’s ongoing commitment to engage administrative support to facilitate ensemble development and activity.

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The ensemble factors administration into project budgets, allowing the direct allocation of projectrelated administration. Administration for self-promoted events and general administration is partially supported by the ensemble’s self-generated funds, including unrestricted donations. Administration time is monitored to ensure allocations are sufficient and to help sustain the feasibility of administrative support in the future.

Unrestricted reserves currently stand at £12,021. Restricted funds for LVMF stood at £1,843 at year end. This unrestricted level of reserves is within the statement aim of reserves up to around £15,000 and is deemed a reasonable level to continue to address the risks faced by the charity.

Plans for Future Periods

In the year ahead, plans are already advanced for a side-by-side project in May with Southbank Sinfonia. As the ensemble was founded amongst members of Southbank Sinfonia’s 2008 fellowship, this project and the more general deepening ties with the orchestra it represents, are of particular significance to the ensemble. We hope it may become a regular fixture in the ensemble’s calendar.

Other plans already confirmed include performances to mark the centenary of the premiere of Walton’s Façade in 2023 and a concert for Seaford Music Society in 2024, our first for the organisation.

The music of Dorothy Howell has been a fixture of the ensemble’s repertoire since its involvement with an event at Senate House, London, in 2018. We will continue to explore the possibility of recording some of Howell’s chamber works, including a string quartet reconstructed by Dan in 2018. With no current recording label association, the ensemble continues investigate the best home for such an album. Although Howell’s small and largely unpublished output has so far hampered plans to devise a programme, we hope to set her work in the context of her contemporaries, friends, teachers and mentors.

Finally, following the upheaval of the pandemic and the departure of our administrator, the ensemble and trustees are agreed that a new business plan, with input from all, would be a useful tool at this juncture.

Signed: D. Shilladay

Daniel Shilladay, Trustee

Date: 05/02/2024

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THE BERKELEY ENSEMBLE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2023

Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of The Berkeley Ensemble

I report on the accounts of The Berkeley Ensemble for the year ended 5 April 2023, which are set out on pages 9 to 16.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity’s trustees 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 of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Charities Act”)) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

Basis of 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 the 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 statement below.

Independent examiner’s statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:

Signed: S-J Minot Name: Sarah-Jane Minot Address: 19 Claribel Road, London SW9 6TH Date: 05/02/2024

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THE BERKELEY ENSEMBLE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2023

Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 5 April 2023

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM:
Incoming resources from Generated
Funds
Donations and legacies
Investment Income
Charitable Activities:
Advancement of Music
Advancement of Education
Total incoming resources
EXPENDITURE ON:
Raising Funds
Charitable Activities:
Advancement of Music
Advancement of Education
Total Resources Expended
Net incoming/(outgoing) resources
Funds brought forward
Funds carried forward		 2022-23
Unrestricted
Funds
3,779
-
6,537
27,966
38,282
200
7,787
30,039
38,026
256
11,765
12,021		 2022-23
Restricted
Funds
550
-
-
-
550
-
-
-
-
550
1,293
1,843		 2022-23
Total
4,329
-
6,537
27,966
38,832
200
7,787
30,039
38,026
806
13,058
13,864		 2021-22
Total
10,292
-
10,823
25,316
46,431
-
16,312
33,414
49,726
(3,295)
16,353
13,058

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THE BERKELEY ENSEMBLE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2023

Balance Sheet as at 5 April 2023

Current Assets
Debtors & Prepayments
(5)
Cash at bank and in hand
Total Current Assets
Creditors
Amounts falling due within one year
Total Current Liabilities
(6)
Total assets less Current
Liabilities
Net Assets
Funds of the Charity
Unrestricted funds - general fund
Unrestricted funds - designated funds
Restricted Funds
(8)
Total funds		 2023
13,029
12,808
25,837
11,973
11,973
13,864
13,864
12,021
-
1,843
13,864		 2022
14,349
4,659
19,008
5,950
5,950
13,058
13,058
11,765
-
1,293
13,058

Signed: D. Shilladay

Daniel Shilladay Trustee Date: 05/02/2024

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THE BERKELEY ENSEMBLE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2023

Notes to the Accounts

1) Accounting Policies

i) The Basis of the Preparation of Accounts

The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention and on an accruals basis.

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with:

ii) Incoming Resources

Incoming resources are recognised as follows:

The trustees have had regard to Charity Commission guidance on Fund Accounting principles:

iii) Resources Expended

Resources expended are recognised as follows:

Support costs are apportioned between charitable activity categories on the basis of costs incurred directly by that activity. It is deemed that the proportion of support costs expended in relation to the cost of generating funds and governance costs is not material.

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iv) Assets Policy

Assets with a purchase value of less than £1,000 are written-off to revenue; other assets are capitalised at cost and depreciated according to the estimated useful lifetime of the asset.

iv.i) CDs and Music Library

The ensemble holds a stock of its CD recordings which are used for marketing and promotional purposes as well as being available for sale at concerts. The ensemble also holds a music library of works which it performs and regard is given to the cost effectiveness of purchasing compared to hiring or borrowing works, dependent on availability, cost and future performance plans. The library currently consists of c.170 titles including standard repertoire pieces and works by lesser-known British composers, alongside the works written by composers from the Accelerate and Tŷ Cerdd schemes.

v) Going concern

These financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis. In making this assessment, the charity’s trustees have considered all available information about the future for at least, but not limited to, 12 months from the date the financial statements are approved. The charity produces detailed budgets, has a well-established friends scheme and a number of long-term relationships with promoters and engagers, which provide reassurance over future revenue streams.

vi) Financial instruments

As per the definition of FRS 102, the charity makes use of only basic financial instruments which are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at settlement value. Financial instruments held by the entity comprise debtors, creditors and cash.

vii) Provision for doubtful debts

Provision is made for aged receivables as below:

viii) Cash flow statement

The entity is exempt from preparing a cash flow statement since it is designated a small charity.

ix) Presentation

The trustees have decided not to correct for immaterial rounding or casting errors.

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THE BERKELEY ENSEMBLE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2023

Notes to the Accounts (cont’d)

2) Analysis of resources expended on charitable activities:

2023 2023 2023 2022
Direct Costs Support Costs Total Total
£ £ £ £
Advancement of the art of music 6,369 1,418 7,787 16,311
Advancement of education 23,972 6,067 30,039 33,414
Total 30,341 7,485 37,826 49,725

Support costs includes total governance costs of £427 (2022: £465)

3) Expenses payments made to Trustees:

2023 2022
Number of trustees who were
paid expenses		 0 0
Nature of the expenses Refunding out-of
pocket expenses
incurred on behalf
of the charity		 Refunding out-of
pocket expenses
incurred on behalf
of the charity
Amounts paid: 2023 2022
£ £
Direct charitable expenditure - -
Support costs - -
Governance costs - -
Total amountpaid - -

4) The charity has no employees, however in 2022/23 it continued to engage the services of a freelance administrator until her departure in September 2022.

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THE BERKELEY ENSEMBLE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2023

Notes to the Accounts (cont’d)

5) Debtors and prepayments (all falling due within one year)

2023 2022
£ £
Performance/workshop fees and
ticket income		 12,189 12,359
Gift Aid due 840 2,020
Grants Due 2,500 2,500
Provision for grants due (2,500) (2,500)
Prepayments -
-
Other debtors -
-
Provision for doubtful debts -
(30)
Total 13,029 14,349

£206 owed to Trustees and related parties at year end (2022 £0).

6) Creditors & Accruals (all falling due within one year)

2023 2022
£ £
Player fees - concert - -
Player fees - education 5,323 215
Other concert costs - -
Other education costs - 240
Other Payables - 1,375
CDs - -
Deferred Income- Chamber Course 6,650 4,120
Support costs - -
Total 11,973 5,950

of which, payments owed to Trustees and related parties (player/admin fees and out-of-pocket expenses incurred on behalf of the charity):

2023 2022
£ £
Player fees - concert - -
Player fees - education 206 -
Other concert costs - -
Other education costs - -
Other payables - -
Support costs - -
Total - -

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THE BERKELEY ENSEMBLE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2023

Notes to the Accounts (cont’d)

8) Restricted fund analysis

Balance as at Incoming Outgoing Balance as at
06-Apr-22 Resources Resources 05-Apr-23
£ £ £ £
Concert Projects - - - -
Education Projects - - - -
LVMF 1,293
550		 - 1,843
Total 1,293
550		 - 1,843

9) Related party transactions

Trustee Daniel Shilladay is also a musician within the ensemble. Trustee (to January 2023) Frances Slack is a relative of ensemble clarinettist John Slack. Related party transactions are disclosed for John Slack and Daniel Shilladay for the entire year. They are paid fees and expenses for their concert and education work with the ensemble, at the same rate as the other players for that particular engagement, and in line with rates specified by the Musicians’ Union. In 2023, John Slack received total performance fees of £2,447 (2022: £2,901), of which £0 (2022: £0) was the amount outstanding at year end. He did not receive any reimbursement of non-performing expenses (2022: £0). Daniel Shilladay received performance fees of £1,719 (2022 £4,220), with £206 (2022: £0) outstanding at year end. He did not receive reimbursement of any other expenses (2022: £0). He did not receive any benefit or payment for his work as a trustee of the charity.

Legal authority for making payments of fees to trustees is contained within the Trust Deed of the charity. Payments are approved by a quorum of trustees who do not receive any benefit or fee payment from the charity.

Aggregate donations by Trustees and their immediate family to the ensemble were £1,275 (including £255 of Gift Aid). Aggregate donations from Trustees and their immediate family in 2022 were £1,125 (including £225 of Gift Aid).

Trustees were covered by Trustee Liability Insurance in place during the year.

10) Fees for examination of the accounts

2023 2022
Independent Examiner’s fee for reporting on the accounts nil nil
Other fees paid to the Independent Examiner nil nil

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