Charity no: 1151714 LONDON YOUTH CHOIRS a Charitable Incorporated Organisation ## TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021 London Youth Choirs Rich Mix 35-47 Bethnal Green Road London E1 6LA Tel: 07388 623 178 Email: office@londonyouthchoirs.com www.londonyouthchoirs.com **1** LONDON YOUTH CHOIRS (a Charitable Incorporated Organisation) ## CONTENTS |Reference and administrative information|3| |---|---| |Trustees’ report|4 - 15| |Independent examiner’s Report|16| |Statement of fnancial activities|17| |Balance sheet|18| |Notes to the fnancial statements|19 - 27| **2** LONDON YOUTH CHOIRS (a Charitable Incorporated Organisation) ## REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION ## FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 2021 Founding President Suzi Digby OBE Patrons Sir Andrew Parmley Gareth Malone OBE Dame Janet Ritterman Dr. John Rutter CBE Jonathan Freeman-Attwood CBE (Founding Patron) Patrick Russill (Founding Patron) Trustees Dame Deirdre Hutton (Chair) Leslie East OBE Mark Gallagher (joined November 2021) Michael Llewelyn-Jones Kate Ludlow Duncan Watts George Wills Executive Director Nina Camilleri Development Committee Kate Ludlow (Chair) Richard Huntingford Mary Quillen Andy Roberts Elizabeth Ross Artistic Director Rachel Staunton Charity registered number 1151714 Registered office Rich Mix 35-47 Bethnal Green Road London E1 6LA Independent examiner Laura Masheder FCA, DChA Azets Audits Services Limited Triune Court Monks Cross Drive York YO32 9GZ Bankers CAF Bank Kings Hill West Malling Kent ME14 4TA **3** LONDON YOUTH CHOIRS (a Charitable Incorporated Organisation) ## TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021 Youth Choirs for the year ended 31 August 2021. The Trustees confirm that the annual report and financial statements of the charity comply with the current statutory requirements, the requirements of the charity’s governing document and the provisions of “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 reference and administrative information on the preceding page forms part of this report. **Structure, Governance and Management** ## **Constitution** The charity is registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation set up by a Charity Commission Scheme. The charity is constituted under a Charity Commission Scheme and is a registered charity number 1151714. The principal object of the charity is to provide high quality choral training and performance opportunities for young people living and studying in London. ## **Method of appointment or election of trustees** The management of the charity is the responsibility of the Trustees who are elected and coopted under the terms of the Charity Commission Scheme. Under the requirements of the Constitution, the Trustees are elected to serve for a period of four years by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity, afer which they must be re-elected. The Board of Trustees seeks to ensure that its members possess the range of skills and expertise required for the effective administration of the charity. In the event of particular skills or expertise being lost due to retirement, appropriate individuals are identified and approached to offer themselves for election to the Board of Trustees. The charity has produced an induction policy which outlines how a Trustee is approached and introduced to the charity and the formal procedure for appointing them as Trustee. Trustees are also offered the opportunity to visit the charity office and spend time with staff understanding systems and details of the operation of the charity. ## **Organisational Structure and Decision Making** The LYC Board of Trustees meets three times a year and are responsible for the strategic direction and policy of the charity. All Trustees give their time voluntarily. subject to the budgeting limits set by the Board. **4** LONDON YOUTH CHOIRS (a Charitable Incorporated Organisation) **TRUSTEES’ REPORT** FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021 ## **Objectives and Activities** ## **Policies and Objectives** The objects of the London Youth Choirs are to advance the education and training of young people living or educated in London in the subject of music and the performing arts, and in particular, choral music. For the purposes of these objects, ‘London’ means the boroughs covered by the Greater London Authority or any successor body, and the City of London. The charity will achieve this by: - providing a world-class choral training programme for young people; - promoting and supporting musical and choral education to young people regardless of their financial or social background; - delivering open access workshops for young people, irrespective of their training or experience; and - education of the highest standard and to achieve their potential. In reviewing the objectives and planning the charity’s activities, the Trustees have had due regard to the guidance on public benefit issued by the Charity Commission. ## **Activities for Achieving Objectives** ## **‘Unlocking young people’s potential through the power of choral singing’.** In 2020/21 LYC consisted of eight choirs for young people aged 7-23. Despite the challenges of the global pandemic, we successfully launched our second regional choir, LYC West (in Ealing) in February 2021 online. Building on the engagement work that we have carried out in schools in some of London’s most disadvantaged regions in recent years, the establishment of our new regional choirs is helping to create opportunities for more young people and to diversify our membership. Over the course of the year, LYC provided 31 weeks of online rehearsals directed by our core team of conductors, together with a programme of extra curricular activities for our members. From May 2021, as Covid-19 restrictions began to ease, LYC was able to undertake in-person rehearsals (six weeks in total) for our Junior Choirs, Cambiata Girls, Cambiata Boys’ and Chamber Choir. Sadly, London Youth Choir was unable to come together to rehearse due to the size of the choir. “It turns out that afer over a year online our young people have truly been learning and developing as singers and as people. It is such a pleasure to be reunited with our younger members. Never again will we take the simple joys of singing together in a room for granted.” LYC Artistic Director Rachel Staunton **55** LONDON YOUTH CHOIRS (a Charitable Incorporated Organisation) **TRUSTEES’ REPORT** FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021 Rehearsals for the six central choirs are held at the City of London School on Monday evenings during term time, and membership is achieved through audition. LYC SE rehearsals are held at Alfred Salter Primary School, Rotherhithe and take place on Thursday evenings during term time. LYC West rehearsals are held at St. Barnabas Church, Ealing and also take place on Thursday evenings. All LYC membership fees are subsidised, and an extensive financial assistance scheme is available to help cover the residual costs of fees and travel for those who wouldn’t otherwise be able to attend. The current choirs are split according to age and experience levels: ## LYC JUNIOR GIRLS Our early stages choir for girls in school years 3–6. Here, the foundations of choral singing, music reading and performance are put in place in an environment that is creative, supportive and fun. ## LYC JUNIOR BOYS Our early stages choir for boys in school years 3–6. Here, the foundations of choral singing, music reading and performance are put in place in an environment that is creative, supportive and fun. ## LYC SOUTH EAST education closer to their homes. It is a mixed voice choir for boys and girls in school years 3-6. ## LYC WEST This is the second of our region choirs. It is a mixed-voice choir for boys and girls in school years 3-6. ## LYC CAMBIATA GIRLS For girls in school years 7-11. The choir provides support and inspiration to nurture girls at this stage of their vocal development. ## LYC CAMBIATA BOYS For boys in school years 7-11. The choir provides support and inspiration to nurture boys at this stage of their vocal development. ## LONDON YOUTH CHOIR A four part, SATB (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) choir for people in school year 11 to age 23. Tackling challenging repertoire in a variety of languages and styles, the members of London Youth Choir also receive separate musicianship classes to help improve their music-reading skills. ## LYC CHAMBER CHOIR Twenty-voice SATB choir (ages 16-23). Chamber Choir is the culmination of the exceptional musical training members receive in their journey with LYC. **6** LONDON YOUTH CHOIRS (a Charitable Incorporated Organisation) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021 ## **TRUSTEES’ REPORT** ## **LYC Experience** By our 10th anniversary, LYC will have established choirs in SW, SE, W, and NE London, in addition to our six centrally located choirs. **LYC Experience** is an initiative that reaches out to the localities of our new choirs and reinstates music as a valuable part of community. The key aim of the programme is to bring the joy and unifying power of singing to musically disadvantaged parts of our country’s capital. To do this, we work closely with schools, music hubs and families, empowering individuals and organisations to make a difference to young people’s lives through music. We have thoughtfully devised a variety of strategies and activities for engaging educators, families and young people alike. - Train school leaders to introduce Singing Assemblies, reinstating singing with peers as a staple part of the school day. - Hold ‘Family Come & Sing Days’ across London during the school holidays. These inclusive events allow families to share in their children’s love of singing. - Work closely with Music Hubs to raise awareness of the musical opportunities available to young people, including membership of LYC. Whilst Covid-19 has had a significant impact on the pace of which we have been able to implement LYC Experience activity this year, we are confident that the programme will help to establish LYC’s presence in these new London regions. ## **Achievements and Performance Review of activities** Following on from the strong foundations laid down in our first eight years, LYC has continued to develop and grow throughout the academic year 2020/21. The resilience and determination of every single one of our LYC members and team is to be applauded and the whole LYC family can feel proud of what has been achieved together in such difficult circumstances. Membership comprised 307 young people drawn from 29 London boroughs (plus Surrey, Hampshire and Essex), ranging in age from 7 to 23 of which 29% were male and 71% female. LYC members represented 171 different educational establishments, including at least 58% in Free, Voluntary Aided, Academy or State Schools, 5% in Higher Education and 2% who were Home Educated. 307 members from across london **----- Start of picture text -----**
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educational establishments As part of LYC’s mission to be a truly accessible arts organisation, LYC continued to subsidise all member fees by over 70% of the true cost of membership which is £940 per annum. The subsidised fees are £255 per annum. Historically, payments have been made on a termly basis, however, to streamline our payment structure, a new direct debit system was implemented in September 2021. Members continued to benefit from a comprehensive Financial Assistance Fund, which **7** LONDON YOUTH CHOIRS (a Charitable Incorporated Organisation) **TRUSTEES’ REPORT** FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021 LYC’s partnership with City of London School, our Monday evening rehearsal home, continues to have a tremendously positive impact on our artistic output, enabling the implementation of sectional rehearsals and musicianship classes to take place on a weekly basis, as well as providing a fabulous performance space in the spectacular Great Hall. Grateful thanks are due to Alan Bird, Head of CLS and Anita Murray for their unstinting commitment to LYC. Such friendships are the life-blood of our organisation - critical not only to the on-going strategic development of LYC but also to our capacity to learn from and connect with inspiring people and institutions. We hope for a long and flourishing relationship with the School. ## **Highlights of 2020/21** Afer months and months of virtual rehearsals, conductor Greg Beardsell says that the first Chamber Choir meet-up was “a sheer delight that rendered some of us, ironically, too emotional to sing!” Although the strict distancing rules obliged the singers to spread out across the venue, “the choir members seemed to really appreciate having the extra room to find their own voices afer such a long time.” Despite the many restrictions imposed upon during the year, LYC has kept active and continued to offer a calendar of extraordinary experiences and opportunities for our young people. |September –
October 2020|Members of all our Junior choirs worked with composer**Shruthi**
**Rajasekar**on a collaborative project to commemorate the sailing of
the Mayfower from Southwark 400 years ago, exploring the history of
the area and producing written work to be incorporated into the fnal
composition. The premiere of the**Mayfower Anthem**was performed in
our virtual SpringConcert 2021.| |---|---| |October-
November|All choirs enjoyed workshops in**gospel singing by Naveen Arles**.
Naveen became Conductor of Cambiata Boys’ Choir later in theyear.| |November|LYC Chamber Choir met for one rehearsal before the second lockdown
and recorded two pieces for our Festive Concert. Later in the month
**Gareth Malone**, TV choirmaster and LYC Patron, and soul singer**Louise**
**Marshall**held a workshop open to all young Londoners launching a
competition to fnd a singer to perform Once in Royal David’s City at
LYC’s online Festive Concert. Over**100 children participated**and, as
well as opening the concert with a solo, the winner was ofered a place
in LYC Junior Girls.| |December|LYC presented its**Festive Concert**online, sponsored by**China**
**Construction Bank**. Over 500 family tickets were booked, including a
good number byCCB staf.| **8** LONDON YOUTH CHOIRS (a Charitable Incorporated Organisation) **TRUSTEES’ REPORT** FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021 |January 2021|Online auditions were held and**25 new members**joined LYC.**35 LYC**
**members**also successfully auditioned for**National Youth Choirs of**
**Great Britain.**
A two-week partnership with**Tenebrae’s Associate Artists**provided
sectional rehearsals for LYC.| |---|---| |February|LYC launched**‘LYC Pals’,**a way for members of the various choirs to
connect during lockdown as pen pals. The Happiness Zone within LYC
Live was revamped to create weekly themes.
Cambiata Girls’ Choir participated in a workshop with Jeremy Haneman
**exploring migration and refugee experience**through music, in
preparation for our Spring Concert entitled ‘Voyage’.
Senior members of LYC enjoyed an online social event with yoga,
designed to help them to relax and combat stress.
In collaboration with Ealing Music Service, two online workshops and
auditions were held to launch**LYC West,**our new junior choir based in
Ealing. Olivia Shotton was appointed conductor and**43 new members**
joined.
LYC created a weeklong programme of online activities for the half-term
holidays, including yoga and creative art, as well as singing. These were
opened toyoung people outside LYC and over**600 tookpart**.| |March|LYC Chamber Choir worked with beatboxing legend SK Shlomo and
produced a recording of the Jamiroquai hit from 25 years ago,**Virtual**
**Insanity.**The recording was featured on Scala Radio.
LYC presented its**Spring Concert**online. Entitled ‘Voyage’, all the pieces
were on a theme of travel. Over**400 individual recordings submitted**
**by members**were gathered in order to present this concert, which was
also sponsored byChina Construction Bank.| |April|Four of our choirs participated in Tenebrae’s Holy Week Festival in
collaboration with St John’s Smith Square.| |May-June|Junior Boys and Cambiata Boys were the frst to return to in person
rehearsals on Monday 17 May, with all other choirs continuing to
meet online. Over the following weeks, LYC South East, Junior Girls,
LYC West and Chamber Choir made its comeback to live rehearsals.
Although precautions including social distancing were still in place, the
experience for returning members and staf alike was full of emotions.
Of these the most signifcant was the frst rehearsal for LYC West, the
newest choir in the LYC family which was launched during lockdown in
early2021 and had until now onlymet online.| “It was so amazing to hear everyone’s voices instead of being on mute! During lockdown I had missed seeing my friends in person and I had really missed Rachel making us laugh! I loved looking around and seeing everyone singing at the top of their lungs!” LYC South East, Sienna **9** LONDON YOUTH CHOIRS (a Charitable Incorporated Organisation) **TRUSTEES’ REPORT** FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021 ## **Supporting members’ mental health** Some members have struggled to cope with the isolation of lockdown and have missed interacting with peers. While the activities we provided within **LYC Live’s Happiness Zone** were enjoyed by all members, it was the opportunity to have one-to-one counselling sessions with our Wellbeing & Pastoral Care Team each Monday evening that was a lifeline for a small number of members. In fact, there were members with whom contact was retained during the school holidays, such was their need for support. As we strive to make our musical training accessible to young people from all backgrounds, we know that there will always be some members for whom the community we create is as important as the singing. We believe that being part of the LYC family is truly life-changing for many of our members. ## The LYC story of the last eight years has been one of growth. Following the establishment of the LYC West regional in February, we now have a family of eight choirs, a growing membership of 311, with plans afoot to implement a further two regional choirs (SW and NE) in our 10th Anniversary in 2022/23. Over the past year LYC has become a stronger organisation. Our music-making has prevailed, we have invested wisely in our marketing resources at a time when visibility is of paramount importance and, by being prudent with our expenditure and ambitious with our fundraising LYC finances are in a positive position. infrastructure and to prepare, in a systematic way, for future growth and expansion. LYC has had an impressive start to its **fundraising** and despite the uncertainty of the current year, our fundraising efforts have weathered the storm. However, to meet the aspirations of the rapidly growing LYC, a restructure and expansion of the development function was required. In March 2021, the Board adopted a proposal to create of a new full-time development position and to restructure the freelance Development Director role. The **Development Manager** position, now assumed by **Alice Beverley** , plays a key part in establishing the LYC Development Office with the remit to both broaden the fundraising base and provide the infrastructure necessary to support an expanding professional fundraising operation. The **Development Director** position, undertaken by Penny Lewis, now assumes overall responsibility for the annual development targets set, in consultation with the Executive Director. To further support LYC’s fundraising ambitions, the Development Committee, under the leadership of Kate Ludlow, implemented a plan to refresh and recruit new members to the Committee. A new Terms of Reference document was also created to provide clear guidance for these members. **10** LONDON YOUTH CHOIRS (a Charitable Incorporated Organisation) **TRUSTEES’ REPORT** FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021 To aid the growth of LYC’s choir network, the Board agreed to recruit a **Assistant** role to support the operations team and Music Director. As of August 2021, the structure of the Operations team is as follows: - Operations Manager |Bethan Thomas - Aitken (joined July 2021) - Operations Assistant |Zoe Nendick (joined August 2021) Working with LYC members through lockdown enabled us to gain a greater understanding of the breadth of issues young people experience in today’s world. To support their growing needs, we recognised the need for a dedicated role within our organisation, one that is totally separate from operations and logistics. Following a thorough recruitment process in the summer, **Alison Bastable** joined the team as **Head of Safeguarding and Pastoral Care.** During the course of the year, we were delighted to welcome many new faces to the LYC **music team** . In February 2021, Mariana Rosas became conductor of LYC Cambiata Girls’ and we were thrilled to welcome Naveen Arles into the role of conductor for LYC Cambiata Boys’. Olivia Shotton became the new conductor of LYC West, alongside Harry Baker as accompanist. Antonio Oliveira, Meg Storer, Stella Werth and Elliot Mercer were appointed as Assistant Leaders for Junior Boys, Junior Girls and LYC West respectively. ## **Fundraising** Section 162a of the Charities Act 2011 requires charities to make a statement regarding fundraising activities. The legislation defines fundraising as “soliciting or otherwise procuring money or other property for charitable purposes”. Such amounts are presented in our financial statements within “Donations and legacies” which includes donations from individual supporters, corporate donations and legacies. In relation to this, we confirm that all solicitations are managed internally, without the involvement of commercial participators, professional fundraisers or third parties. The day to day management of all income generated is delegated to the executive staff team who act under authority delegated by the Trustees. There were no complaints regarding fundraising received during the financial year. Over 80% of London Youth Choirs’ income comes from fundraising. In a normal year, rehearsals and concerts provide a welcome opportunity to meet and get to know donors. During 2020/21, all contact with existing and prospective supporters had to be conducted online due to the pandemic. While there was understandably major fundraising underway for medical charities, it was heartening how many individuals and charitable trusts demonstrated the value they place on LYC’s musical education and pastoral care by financially supporting our work. **11** LONDON YOUTH CHOIRS (a Charitable Incorporated Organisation) **TRUSTEES’ REPORT** FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021 Our matched-giving appeals on **The Big Give** platform have become the **single biggest contributor to our annual fundraising** . All funds raised this way support our Financial Assistance Fund, enabling membership fees to be subsidised and free places offered to those whose families are unable to afford fees at all. The opportunity for donations to be doubled during the appeal week provides an incentive for individuals and trusts to deliver greater benefit to LYC. We are grateful to **The Childhood Trust** for being our Champion Funder and providing half of the match-funding each time we participate. Our **Big Give Christmas Appeal in December 2020** , which we named ‘No Barriers’, broke all previous records, raising **£92,289 including Gif Aid** against a target of £85,000. These gifs from 136 donors put LYC in the top 3% of the 764 participating charities in terms of funds raised, which was an impressive achievement. The balance of the matchfunding was provided by group of generous donors. LYC Honorary Patron, Gareth Malone and loyal ambassador, Jo Brand recorded videos endorsing our appeal, greatly adding to our promotional efforts during the appeal week. £92,289 raised in the Big Give Christmas challenge The Childhood Trust extended their support by inviting LYC to participate in their **Champions for Children Appeal** on £50,382 the Big Give platform in June 2021. Premier Sponsor, China raised in Construction Bank generously pledged the remaining match-funding for our £45,000 target. Once again, LYC Champions for supporters rose to the challenge, **enabling us to raise a** . Children Appeal **magnificent £50,382 including Gif Aid** Special recognition goes to **China Construction Bank as LYC’s Premier Sponsor,** providing major core funding and support towards regional junior choir LYC South East. We are hugely grateful to Mr Aimin Yang, Chief Executive and his executive team for their enthusiastic commitment to LYC’s work. As well as playing a vital role in our 2021 Champions for Children Appeal, CCB was recognised as sponsor of our Festive Concert in December and our Spring Concert Premier Sponsorship from ‘Voyage’ in March, both of which were China Construction Bank delivered online and enabled CCB to entertain clients virtually. The **number of trusts and foundations supporting LYC continues to grow** . The Attwood Education Foundation, D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust, Sir Edward Lewis Foundation, Sir Nigel Broackes 1993 Charitable Trust and the Golsoncott Foundation all maximised the impact of their donations by supporting LYC through The Big Give. Additional support towards our Financial Assistance Fund came from The Alchemy Foundation, while the Radcliffe Trust supported the establishment of our newest **12** LONDON YOUTH CHOIRS (a Charitable Incorporated Organisation) **TRUSTEES’ REPORT** FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021 junior choir, LYC West and the Sir William Boremans Foundation, administered by the Drapers’ Company, supported LYC South East. For a third consecutive year, we were honoured to receive a grant of €25,000 towards core funding from Benecare Foundation based in Liechtenstein and sincere thanks go to their Trustees from this significant donation. Towards the end of the financial year, LYC was awarded major 3-year funding from both The 3 years Leverhulme Trust and John Lyon’s Charity towards of support from Financial Assistance and LYC West respectively. 3 years of support from John Lyon’s and The Leverhulme Trust Throughout 2020/21, we enjoyed the continued support as the **Master’s Charity of the** **Worshipful Company of Curriers** , as the Master, Mary McNeil’s term of office was extended for a second year due to Covid. We gratefully acknowledge the support of other Livery Companies during the year, namely the Wonderful Companies of Basketmakers, Tallow Chandlers, Makers of Playing Cards and Musicians. A special conclusion to our year was LYC’s appointment as the **Master’s Charity of the Drapers’ Company** , thanks to incoming Master, David Chalk. The Drapers’ Company is ranked number three of ‘The City of London’s Great 12 Livery Companies’ and it is a great honour for LYC to be chosen. We look forward to working with The Drapers’ Company in the year to come. London Youth Choirs pays tribute to members of the Development Committee. Special thanks go to Trustee Leslie East, who handed over the role of Committee Chair afer many years to new Trustee Kate Ludlow; to David Symondson, whose support from the earliest days was instrumental in the launch and early success of LYC, and LYC parent Clément Daudy, both of whom retired from the Committee. Sincere thanks go to current Development Committee members Richard Huntingford, Andy Roberts, Elizabeth Ross and Mary Quillen, who continue play a key role in supporting LYC’s fundraising efforts. **13** LONDON YOUTH CHOIRS (a Charitable Incorporated Organisation) **TRUSTEES’ REPORT** FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021 ## **Looking ahead - a year of restoration and preparation** What is clear from our experience of lockdown, is that our members love LYC, cherish their membership and really do rely on us, whether as a musical education, pastoral support network or simply a place (virtually or otherwise) to check in with friends. We have all had to re-evaluate our lives throughout this challenging period, but together, by keeping our sense of love and community strong, we have been able to endure this challenging time. As we begin to resume our regular in-person rehearsals, our choirs are excited to show off their hard work, resilience and love for music and we look forward to sharing these live performances with families, friends and stakeholders. ## **As we work though this next year, our focus is very much on plans for our 10th Anniversary, which commences September 2022.** To celebrate this important milestone we are doubling down on our founding commitments **to unlock young people’s potential through the power of choral singing** , and to be a singing home for all young Londoners. Throughout the anniversary year we will celebrate and champion **Accessibility, Belonging and Choral Excellence** – three themes which will play throughout our next decade. ## **Financial Review** The current level of funds held by the charity at the year end amounted to £229,408 (2020: £155,397) and included a designated reserve of £50,000 and restricted funds of £360 (2020: £ 360). Afer deducting designated reserves, restricted funds and funds held as functional assets, the charity had free reserves of £168,144 (2020: £139,827). ## **Reserves policy** The Trustees have adopted a reserves policy which, in the long term, aims to build reserves sufficient to cover at least two terms’ expenditure amounting to £160,000. Unrestricted free reserves at the end of the year stood at £168,144. **14** . I LONDON YOUTH CHOIRS (a Charitable Incorporotod Ofgontsatlon) TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021 Trustees. Responslbllllles Statement The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees. report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). The low applicable to chorilies in England & Wales requires the Trustees to prepare flnancial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these finonciol statements, the Trustees are required to: select suitable accountlng policies and then apply them conslstentw; enable them to ensure that the financlal statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the charity's governing document. It is also responsible for safeguording the assets of the charity and hence for toking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. This report was approved by the Trustees of the London Youth Choirs on and si ed on their behalf by: . Dame Deirdre Hutton, Chair 15 LONDON YOUTH CHOIRS (a Charitable Incorporated Organisation) **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT** FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021 ## **Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of London Youth Choir** I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Charitable Incorporated Organisation (‘the CIO’) for the year ended 31 August 2021. ## **Responsibilities and basis of report** As the charity trustees of the CIO you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’). I report in respect of my examination of the CIO’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. ## **Independent examiner’s statement** Since the charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the ICAEW, which is one of the listed bodies. attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: - Accounting records were not kept in respect of the CIO as required by section 130 of the Act; or the accounts do not accord with those records; or - The accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 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. 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. Signed: Laura Masheder FCA, DChA Azets Audits Services Limited Triune Court Monks Cross Drive York YO32 9GZ Dated: **16** LONDON YOUTH CHOIRS (a Charitable Incorporated Organisation) ## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES** ## FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021 ||**Notes**|**2021**
**Unrestricted**
**£**|**2021**
**Restricted**
**£**|**2021**
**Total**
**£**|**2020**
**Unrestricted**
**£**|**2020**
**Restricted**
**£**|**2020**
**Total**
**£**| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |**Income from:**|||||||| |Donations|**2**|329,585|-|329,585|312,530|-|312,530| |Charitable
activities|**3**|62,975|-|62,975|57,067|-|57,067| |Investments||259|-|259|185|-|185| |||**392,819**|**- **|**392,819**|**369,782**|**-**|**369,782**| ||||||||| |**Expenditure on:**|||||||| |Raising funds|**4**|30,451|-|30,451|43,315|-|43,315| |Charitable
activities|**5**|288,357|-|288,357|269,744|21,349|291,093| |||**318,808**|**- **|**318,808**|**313,059**|**21,349**|**334,408**| ||||||||| |**Net income**||**74,011**|**-**|**74,011**|**56,723**|**(21,349)**|**35,374**| ||||||||| |Transfers
between funds|**13**|-|-|-|-|-|-| |**Net**
**movement in**
**funds**||**74,011**|**-**|**74,011**|**56,723**|**(21,349)**|**35,374**| ||||||||| |**Reconciliation of funds:**|||||||| |Total funds
brought
forward||155,037|360|155,397|98,314|21,709|120,023| ||||||||| |**Total funds**
**carried**
**forward**|**13**|**229,048**|**360 **|**229,408**|**155,037**|**360**|**155,397**| The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All the charity’s operations are classed as continuing. **17** LONDON YOUTH CHOIRS (a Chorltablg Incorporated Organlsatlon) BALANCE SHEET FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021 Th Notes 2021 2021 2020 2020 Fixed Assets Intangible Assets Tangible Assets 6.888 4,010 12,921 2,289 10 10,904 15,210 Current asse*s Debtors Cash at bank and in hand 8.044 6,476 284,019 292,063 225,380 231.856 Creditors: amounts due within one year Net current assets 12 73.559 (91,669> 218,504 140.187 Total net ossets 229.408 155,397 The funds ol the charlty Unrestricted general Unrestricted designated Restricted funds 13 13 13 179.048 50.000 360 155.037 360 Total funds 229.408 155.397 Thefinancial statementswere approved bythe Board on......,.............................. an slgned on Its half by: Dame Deirdre Hutt Chairman 18 LONDON YOUTH CHOIRS (a Charitable Incorporated Organisation) **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021 ## **1 Accounting policies** The principal accounting policies adopted, judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the accounts are as follows: ## **1.1 Basis of preparation** and 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) and the Charities Act 2011. departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a ‘true and fair view’. This departure has involved following Charities SORP (FRS 102) rather than Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn. London Youth Choirs 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 policies. pound. ## **1.2 Status** The London Youth Choirs is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation and is registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. The address of the registered office is Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London, E1 6LA. ## **1.3 Going concern** economic climate and have, at the time of approving the financial statements, a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements. ## **1.4 Income** Income from donations and grants is recognised when the charity is entitled to the funds, the receipt is probable and the amount can be measured reliably. For donations, this is usually on receipt. For grants, this is usually when a formal offer is made in writing. If a donation or grant contains terms and conditions outside of the charity’s control which must be met before the charity is entitled to the funds, or if the donor specifies that the funds must be used in future time periods, then the income is deferred. Donated facilities and services are recognised at the date that they are utilised and are measured at their estimated fair value. Income from charitable activities is recognised over the period to which the income **19** LONDON YOUTH CHOIRS (a Charitable Incorporated Organisation) ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021 relates. Concert fees are recognised at the date of the event. Membership fees are recognised over the period of the membership. ## **1.5 Expenditure** Expenditure is recognised when a present legal or constructive obligation exists at the balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation, and the amount can be estimated reliably. It is inclusive of VAT which cannot be recovered. Direct costs are those costs which directly attribute to its activities. The Trustees consider that there is only one activity, which is running the choirs. Wages and salaries are allocated to direct costs based on an estimate of time spent on charitable activities by staff members. Support costs are those costs relating to functions which assist the work of the charity but do not directly relate to its activities. and creditors are measured at their settlement value ## where settlement of obligations does not fall within the same period. The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received. ## **1.7 Pensions** The charity operates a defined contribution scheme for employees. Contributions are charged as an expense to the SoFA in the period in which they fall due. ## **1.8 Intangible assets** Intangible assets comprise of sofware and website development costs capitalised at cost and amortised over the estimated useful economic lives in annual instalments, with a full year’s charge in the acquisition year and no charge in the year of disposal as follows: - website costs – 25% straight line ## **1.9 Tangible assets** Individual fixed assets costing more than £1,000 are capitalised and included at cost and are depreciated over their estimated useful economic lives in annual instalments, with a full year’s charge in the acquisition year and no charge in the year of disposal as follows: - equipment – 20% straight line ## **1.10 Fund accounting** Unrestricted funds are those funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes. imposed by donors or which have been raised by the charity for particular purposes. **20** LONDON YOUTH CHOIRS (a Charitable Incorporated Organisation) **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021 ## **1.11 Critical accounting estimates and judgements** In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the Trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates. The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised, if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods. material adjustment to the carrying amount of assets and liabilities. ## **1.12 Taxation** The CIO is a registered charity and has no liability to corporation tax on its charitable activities during the year. ## **1.13 Financial instruments** instruments. The charity’s short term debtors and creditors are measured at their settlement value. |**2**|**Income from donations**||| |---|---|---|---| |||Total funds 2021
£|Total funds 2020
£| ||Donations|205,943|211,101| ||Legacies|-|-| ||Donated facilities and services|19,220|25,424| ||Grants|104,422|76,005| ||||| ||**329,585**
**312,530**||| ||||| ||All income in the current and previous year is unrestricted.
Donated facilities and services relate to the provision of ofce space as
well as marketing and professional services.
Grant income above includes £27,663 (2019 - 19,675) of government
grants relatingto the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.||| **21** LONDON YOUTH CHOIRS (a Charitable Incorporated Organisation) **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021 |**3**|**Charitable activities**|||| |---|---|---|---|---| ||**Income**||Total funds 2021
£|Total funds 2020
£| |||||| ||Membershipfees||52,345|33,901| ||Concert fees||10,630|23,166| |||||| ||||**62,975**|**57,067**| |||||| |**4**|**Raising funds**|||| ||||Total funds 2021
£|Total funds 2020
£| |||||| ||Wages and salaries||10,782|10,313| ||Fundraisingconsultancyfees||19,200|31,300| ||Other costs||469|1,702| |||||| ||||**30,451**|**43,315**| |**5**|**Charitable activities**
**Expenditure**
Wages and salaries
Musical leader and pastoral
support fees
Bursary awards
Venue hire
Music hire
Advertising and marketing
Bank charges
Depreciation
Subscriptions
Professional fees
Travel
Support costs (see note 6)|Total funds 2021
£
Total funds 2020
£
136,393
129,882
47,259
56,211
12,341
12,645
16,911
20,484
6,979
5,770
12,442
8,322
156
568
6,962
5,620
1,139
1,244
-
-
1,889
4,832
45,886
45,515||| |||**288,357**
**291,093**||| The comparative figure for 2020 includes £21,349 of expenditure from restricted funds. **22** LONDON YOUTH CHOIRS (a Charitable Incorporated Organisation) **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021 |**6**|**Support costs**||| |---|---|---|---| |||Total funds 2021
£|Total funds 2020
£| ||Wages and salaries|16,797|16,022| ||Accounting and administration
fees|11,373|12,560| ||Staf costs|3,871|901| ||Ofce costs|5,392|7,269| ||Printing, postage and stationery|1,533|1,923| ||Rent|5,000|4,800| ||**Governance Costs:**||| ||Independent examiners fees|1,920|2,040| |||**45,886**|**45,515**| ||**Staf costs**||| |**7**|**Staf costs**||| |||Total funds 2021
£|Total funds 2020
£| ||Gross salaries|147,752|140,951| ||Employer’s National Insurance|11,426|10,752| ||Employer’s Pension Costs|4,794|4,514| ||||| |||**163,972**|**156,217**| The average number of employees during the year, based on headcount, was 3.2 (2020: 3). **The number of higher paid employees in the band £60,000 - £70,000 was 1 (2020: none). No other employees were paid in excess of £60,000.** ## **8 Related party transactions** The charity’s key management personnel are the Trustees, Artistic Director and Executive Director. During 2021 £100,273 (2020: £95,127) was paid in employment benefits (including employer’s National Insurance and pension contributions) and £37,803 (2020: £44,970) in consultancy fees to key management personnel. None of the Trustees received any remuneration in the year. No Trustees received reimbursement for expenses. The husband of the Executive Director was contracted in the year to provide conductor services, including expenses, totaling £5,780 (2020: £4,776). **23** LONDON YOUTH CHOIRS (a Charitable Incorporated Organisation) **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021 |**9**|**Fixed Assets**||| |---|---|---|---| ||**Intangible Assets**|Website|Total| |||£|£| ||**Cost**||| ||At 1 September 2020|18,100|18,100| ||Additions|-|-| ||Disposals|-|-| ||||| ||At 31 August 2021|18,100|18,100| ||||| ||**Depreciation**||| ||At 1 September 2020|5,179|5,179| ||Additions|6,033|6,033| ||Disposals|-|-| ||||| ||At 31 August 2021|11,212|11,212| ||||| ||**Net Book Value**|6,888|6,888| ||At 31 August 2021||| ||At 31 August 2020|12,921|12,921| ||||| |**10**|**Fixed Assets**||| ||**Tangible Assets**|Computer Equipment|Total| |||£|£| ||Cost||| ||At 1 September 2020|2,787|2,787| ||Additions|2,656|2,656| ||Disposals|-|-| ||||| ||At 31 August 2021|5,443|5,443| ||||| ||Depreciation||| ||At 1 September 2020|498|498| ||Additions|929|929| ||Disposals|-|-| ||||| ||At 31 August 2021|1,427|1,427| ||||| ||**Net Book Value**||| ||At 31 August 2021|4,016|4,016| ||At 31 August 2020|2,289|2,289| **24** LONDON YOUTH CHOIRS (a Charitable Incorporated Organisation) **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021 |**11**|**Debtors**||| |---|---|---|---| |||Total funds 2021
£|Total funds 2020
£| ||Trade Debtors|3,304|-| ||Prepayments and accrued
income|3,601|3,618| ||Gif aid recoverable|1,139|2,858| ||||| |||**8,044**|**6,476**| ||||| |**12**|**Creditors: amounts falling due**
**within oneyear**||| |||Total funds 2021
£|Total funds 2020
£| ||||| ||Trade creditors|10,162|4,281| ||Other tax and social security|4,473|4,066| ||Accrued expenses|3,463|5,830| ||Deferred income|55,461|77,492| ||||| |||**73,559**|**91,669**| ||||| ||Deferred income brought
forward|77,492|6,215| ||Amounts released in theyear|(77,492)|(6,215)| ||Income deferred in theyear|55,461|77,492| ||||| ||Deferred income carried
forward|**55,461**|**77,492**| ||Deferred income relates to pledges received in advance, which the
donor has specifed is to be used in future timeperiods.||| **25** LONDON YOUTH CHOIRS (a Charitable Incorporated Organisation) ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** ## FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021 ## **13 Movement in funds** |**13**|**Movement in funds**|||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |||||||| ||**Current Year**|Brought
forward|Income|Expenditure|Transfers|Carried
forward| |||£|£|£|£|£| |||||||| ||Unrestrictedgeneral|155,037|392,819|(318,808)|(50,000)|179,048| ||Unrestricted designated|-|-|-|50,000|50,000| ||Unrestricted funds|155,037|392,819|(318,808)||229,048| ||Restricted funds:|||||| ||Cathedral Choirs|360|-|-|-|360| ||Chamber Choir|-|-|-|-|-| ||WideningAccess|-|-|-|-|-| |||360|-|-|-|360| |||||||| ||**Total Funds**|**155,397**|**392,819**|**(318,808)**|**-**|**229,408**| |||||||| ||**Prior Year**|Brought
forward|Income|Expenditure|Transfers|Carried
forward| |||£|£|£|£|£| |||98,314|369,782|(313,059)|-|155,037| ||Unrestricted fund|||||| |||||||| ||Restricted funds:|||||| ||Cathedral Choirs|590|-|(230)|-|360| ||Chamber Choir|-|-|-|-|-| ||WideningAccess|21,119|-|(21,119)||-| |||||||| |||21,709|-|(21,349)|-|360| |||||||| ||**Total Funds**|**120,023**|**369,782**|**(334,408)**|**-**|**155,397**| |||||||| ## **Purpose of funds:** ## Restricted - The Widening Access Programme, which is an extension of the Aspire pilot project continued to work in its final year collaboratively with schools and music hubs to reach young people in London in areas of high deprivation who have little or no music provision. The Cathedral Choirs project seeks to engage members with church music and facilitated visits and joint performances with church choirs during the year. ## Designated - During the year £50,000 was transferred to a designated fund. The purpose of this fund is to support LYC’s 10th Anniversary in 2022-2023. **26** LONDON YOUTH CHOIRS (a Charitable Incorporated Organisation) **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021 ## **14 Analysis of net assets between funds** |**14 **|**Analysis of net assets between funds**|**Analysis of net assets between funds**|**Analysis of net assets between funds**|| |---|---|---|---|---| |||||| ||**Current Year**|Restricted funds
2021|Unrestricted funds
2021|Total funds
2021| |||£|£|£| |||||| ||Fixed assets|-|10,904|10,904| ||Current assets|360|291,704|292,064| ||Creditors due
within oneyear|-|(73,559)|(73,559)| |||||| |||360|229,048|229,408| |||||| ||**Prior Year**|Restricted funds
2020|Unrestricted funds
2020|Total funds
2020| |||£|£|£| |||||| ||Fixed assets|-|15,210|15,210| ||Current assets|360|231,496|231,856| ||Creditors due
within oneyear|-|(91,669)|(91,669)| |||||| |||360|155,037|155,397| |||||| **27**