OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

← Sing Out Bristol

2024-03-31-accounts

Registered Charity No: 1152673

SING OUT BRISTOL

REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024

SING OUT BRISTOL

REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024

Page number

SING OUT BRISTOL

REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Trustees Michael Hatch (Chair)
Harry Strong (Treasurer)
Deirdre Mooney (from 25/07/23)
Daniel Hayes
Registered office 20 Victoria Square
Portishead
BRISTOL
BS20 6AQ
Registered Charity number 1152673
Banker The Co-operative Bank
Independent Examiner Olu Alatise AFA MIPA
Lagos Accountancy Services UK
Ujima House
97-107 Wilder Street
Bristol
BS2 8QU

1

SING OUT BRISTOL

REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024

TRUSTEES' REPORT

The trustees presents their report and the unaudited financial statements for the year ended 31st March 2024. The trustees have adopted 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 2015).

Introduction

2023-24, Sing Out Bristol's 15th anniversary year, was a year of performance and a year of transition. We sang as far away as Bologna, Italy and as nearby as the St. George's foyer. Through participation in several community events, we cemented our status as a leading choir in the Bristol area. We held a successful annual concert, Sing Out To The World, the first full-length SOB headline concert fully programmed and led by Music Director Gena Rose.

During the year, a nearly all-new committee was elected in July. The new trustees' priorities included a mandate from membership to complete a charity governance review, and a commitment to reduce the bank balance inherited from the former committee.

The committee worked with NCVO to conduct a thorough governance review, the conclusions of which led to structural changes approved shortly after the 2023-24 year. This was a significant investment, as was our upweighted performance budget to support SOTTW, and donation / funding for Hand in Hand Bristol - details to follow in Finance.

The committee agreed to delay this AGM in order to activate recommendations from the governance review - though for 2024/25 timing should revert to usual.

This year the committee also increased efforts to maintain rehearsal as a safe space and to provide multiple feedback routes.We finalised an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion policy, introduced periodic structured member surveys in the form of "The Bridge", and concluded a complaint that predated this year. We acknowledge the departure of several members, along with music team members Rob Hales and Amy Brewer.

As with any organisation, Sing Out Bristol has evolved over time, as it has done so this year with many new members who have contributed their perspective, energy, and of course their voices. This year also saw a revitalised social events effort, participation in a global music video for Italian superstar Senhit, and the return of Sing Out Bristol Quiz Night.

2

SING OUT BRISTOL

REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024

TRUSTEES REPORT (Continued)

Constitution and Objectives

The main object of the Charity is to advance, improve, develop and maintain public education in, the art and science of music in all its aspects by any means the trustees see fit, including through the presentation of public concerts and recitals.

In setting objectives and planning activities for the year, the Trustees have given due consideration to general guidance published by the Charity Commission relating to public benefit.

Memberships

Membership fluctuated throughout 2023/24. At the time of the EGM in July 2024, we had 90 confirmed members. The number was 80 at the time of our last AGM, in July 2023.

2024/25 SO FAR

We have so far help two successful New Members Evenings, in May and September of 2024. Members from the May intake were already performing by the time of Hand in Hand in August.

OUTREACH

2023 afforded several unique performance opportunities for Sing Out Bristol. Notable was "Sing for the King", where several members joined hundreds others at Bristol Cathedral singing "Zadok the Priest" on 1 May.

In May 2023 we were one of several Bristol choirs participating in the second Singing City - a celebration of local choirs organised by St George's Bristol as part of their Festival of Voice.

We also performed at the Bristol Beacon Bridgehouse in June, at the St. George's 200th Birthday in September, and a community singing day at the Bristol Old Vic in October.

In December 2023, we continued our tradition of supporting Brigstowe and Terrence Higgins Trust as part of their World AIDS Day celebration at Watershed.

In the financial year 2023/24 we also made a significant donation to Hand in Hand. We have subsequently funded member participation in the Bristol festival - details to be reported in 2024/25 financial year.

As a choir, we are not short of opportunities to perform outreach work, typically in the form of performances for causes that align with our charitable aims. Sadly, some opportunities must be declined due to limited resources/availability of singers.

3

SING OUT BRISTOL

REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024

TRUSTEES REPORT (Continued)

Financial review for the year

At the end of the year April 2023 to March 2024, the choir's bank balance was

£27,620. The income for the year was £27,166 and the expenditure was £35,522. This resulted in an overall deficit of £8,376. This was not unexpected; a concern was raised at the 2022/23 AGM, held on 25th July 2023, that the bank balance is abnormally high and as such was expected to decrease due to inflation and increased spending put back into the choir's activities.

We also agreed to donate to several charities as decided by the members". This was certainly achieved, as we were able to donate £1,247 to other charities and worthy causes, renew our sound equipment at a cost of £584 and spend more than usual on our 15-year anniversary concert. By the end of March 2024 the concert had not yet taken place, and as such there was concert expenditure that we had committed to, but not yet paid, which will roll over into the 2024/25 accounts and be shared with members at the next AGM.

• Broadmead Baptist Church expenditure £4,479 (2023 : £368) - we weren't charged by the church for a significant part of the 22/23 year as we had overpaid during COVID lockdown.

Financial Reserve policy

We have adopted a surplus policy, with key points:

As at 31 March 2024, the total reserves held by the Charity were £27,957 (2023 : £36,006) of which £7,685 were restricted.

4

SING OUT BRISTOL

REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024

TRUSTEES REPORT (Continued)

Trustees responsibilities

Law applicable to charities ln England and Wales requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the charity's financial activities during the year and of its financial position at the end of the year. In preparing financial statements giving a true and fair view, the Trustees should follow best practice and :

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy, the financial position of the charity, and which enable them to ascertain the financial position of the charity, and which enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with applicable regulations. 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.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 taking advantage of the exemptions available to small charities.

27th November 2024 The trustees' annual report was approved on …........................................ and signed on behalf of the board of trustees by:

…................................. …......................................Harry Strong Name Signature “f ‘

5

SING OUT BRISTOL

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity for the year ended 31st March 2024.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity's trustees, 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 Charity’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.

lndependent examiners' statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

1) the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or

2) the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or

3) the accounts did 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.

Olu Alatise AFA MIPA Lagos Accountancy Services UK Ujima House 97-107 Wilder Street

Bristol BS2 8QU

11th December 2024

Date …..................

6

SING OUT BRISTOL

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024

Notes
Incoming Resources
Donations and legacies
Other income
Total income
Resources Expended
Charitable activities
2
Other expenditures
6
Total Resources Expended
Net income/(deficit) for the year
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
Fund balances carried forward		 Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
£
£
4,987
22,485
27,472
-
1,248
34,273
35,521
-
(8,049)
-
28,321
7,685
20,272
7,685
2024		 Total
funds
£
4,987
22,485
27,472
1,248
34,273
35,521
(8,049)
36,006
27,957		 Total
funds
2023
£
13,441
31,362
44,803
2,692
31,633
34,325
10,478
25,528
36,006

7

SING OUT BRISTOL

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024

2024 2023
Notes £ £
Fixed Assets
Tangible fixed assets 359 -
Current Assets
Cash at Bank 27,647 36,331
Receivables 3 326 -
Creditors due within one year 4 375 325
Net Assets 27,957 36,006
Funds of the Charity
Restricted funds 7,685 7,685
Unrestricted funds 20,272 28,321
Total funds 27,957 36,006

These financial statements were approved by the board of trustees and authorised for issue on 27th November 2024 …............................ and are signed on behalf of the board by:

….......................................Harry Strong Name

….............................................. Signature y ‘

8

SING OUT BRISTOL

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024

1. Accounting policies

(a) Basis of accounting

The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) '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 lreland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention with the exception of Investments which are included at market value, as modified by the revaluation of certain assets.

(b) Going concern

At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the Trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

(c) Donations

Grants and donations are only included in the SoFA when the general income recognition criteria are met (5.10 to 5.12 FRS102 SORP).

(d) Expenditures

Resources expended are recognised in the period in which they are incurred. Resources expended include attributable VAT which cannot be recovered.

(e) Taxation

The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.

(f) Charitable funds

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees. Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

(g) Creditors

The Charity has creditors which are measured at settlement amounts less any trade discounts.

(h) Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost of each asset over its expected useful life as follows: Equipments : 3 years straight line .

9

SING OUT BRISTOL

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024

2.Donations
Bristol Pride
Freedom Youth
Enthuse
HANDINHANDFES
3.Receivables
L&L Tickets 2023/24
4.Creditors: Amount due within one year
Accruals		 2024
£
-
240
108
900
1,248
2024
326
2024
£
375
375		 2023
£
2,692
-
-
-
2,692
2023
-
2023
£
325
325

5. Transactions with trustees and related parties

During the year, no Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits.

6.Total Resources Expended
Music Director Team Fees
Accompanist Fees
Rehearsal Venue Hire
Performance Costs
Music purchases
Various Voices/Hand in Hand
T-shirt printing
Insurance
Subscriptions
Publicity Cost
Printing & Stationery
Promotions (including Website)
Training & Development
Depreciation of Asset
Paypal Fees
Leaving gifts, Event and Sundries
Accountancy Fees
Total		 2024
£
17,427
1,133
4,479
5,271
687
2,156
-
581
168
207
126
427
-
180
-
1,056
375
34,273		 2023
£
17,086
1,936
368
4,941
315
1,696
1,524
269
751
-
128
413
10
-
2
1,869
325
31,633

10