AMERSHAM A CAPPELLA REGISTERED CHARITY 1152868 ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH NOVEMBER 2024
AMERSHAM A CAPPELLA registered charity no.1152868 Annual Report and Accounts th Year ended 30 November 2024 The Trustees present their report and accounts for the year ended 30th November 2024 Structure, Governance and Management Amersham A Cappella {'the Charlty,) is a registered charlty {no. 1152868) and Is a member of the Ladies Association of Britlsh Barbershop Singers {re8iStered charity no. 1151161) Amersham A Cappella Is governed by its Rules and Constitution adopted on 22 January 2013, revised on 5th February 2019 (AGM) and 30th April 2024 nd Management of the charlty is the responsibility of the Management Commlttee which comprises the Trustees and the Musical Director {Helen Lappert) who is an ex-officio member. The Management Committee meets every 4-6 weeks to oversee the day-to-day management of the charity and review and implement the strategic and charitable objectives. Trustees are elected or re-elected from the membership annually at the AGM. Present Trustees are: Amanda Parker Donna Saunders Anne Jones Amy O'Reilly Mary Hawkes Claire Sweeney Soozi Hyde Chair (appointed 16th January 2024) Vice Chair (appointed 16th January 2024) Treasurer (appointed 17th January 2023) Secretary (appointed 17th January 2023} Booklngs Secretary (appointed 17th January 2023> th Membership Secretary (appointed 16 January 2024) Public Relations OfFicer (appointed 30th April 20241 Public Relations Officer Role vacant from October 2024- February 2025 Other Trustees serving during the year were: Sharon Saywell Chair {resigned 16th January 20241 Hils Apicella Public Relations Officer (resigned 16th January 2024) Jane Price Membership Secretary (resigned 16th January 2024) Soozi Hyde Public Relations Officer (resigned 27th October 2024)
AMERSHAM A CAPPELLA registered charity no.1152868 Annual Report and Accounts th Year ended 30 November 2024 Objertlves and Actlvlties The Objects of the Charity are set out in its Constitution as follows: 'To advance, improve, develop, and maintain public education in, and the appreciation of, the art and science of singing Barbershop Harmony in both chorus and quartet forms by any means the Trustees see fit, including through the presentation of public concerts and recital5. To further such charitable purpose or purposes as the Trustees in their absolute discretion shall think fit but in particular through the making of grants and donations., The Trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit. Achlevements and Performance Our year began with great excitement at the prospect of us joining forces with the Cottontown Chorus to produce a joint show in March at the Wycombe Swan. The show, A Kind of Magic, was a huge success performed to over 600 people. Durlng the year the chorus has also performed at the Abbots House, Audley Dene and the Chesham Fringe Festival as well as at several other Sing Outs. In March we were hugely honoured to receive an invitatlon to sing at the International Convention in Denver in June 2025. We were delighted to accept and a huge fund-raisin8 campaign began. This year the chorus has received a wide variety of coachin8 from David and Sandi Wright, Kirsty Williams and Nlcky Salt. Our retreat this year was again held at Piper's Corner School. We had hoped to run a residential retreat this year but unfortunately Bisham Abbey had double booked so our plans had to change. The Chorus travelled to Bournemouth In October for the annual LABBS convention and were delighted to win the gold medal scoring the highest marks ever achieved. We regard our chorus members as volunteers and at the end of the year we had 72 members. We thank everyone for their great contrlbutions during the year. Flnanclal Review During the year the committee agreed to move to a formal accounting package as with over 70 members the original spreadsheet was becoming increasingly unwieldy. Clubtreasurer, at £96 per year, allows for more detailed in-depth reporting and has moved us from Receipts and Payments accounts to accruals-based Income and Expenditure accounts. It does however mean that direct comparisons between this year and last year have proved difficult to show. This is a transitional issue and will not be a problem going forward. Our principal source of income continues to come from membership subscriptions and reclaiming Gift Aid on members, subscriptions - as this generates over £4000 worth of income per year, please make sure you are signed up if you are a UK taxpayer.
AMERSHAM A CAPPELLA registered charity no.1152868 Annual Report and Accounts Year ended 30" November 2024 Performance fees throughout the year generated £15,2501 £4,000 was from Christmas Dec '23 events and over £7,500 from our A Kind of Magic show with Cottontown. Total receipts for the year were £49,653 and payments £48,786 showing a surplus for the year of £867. This does not include any Sncome or Expenditure generated to do with Denver as that is accrued into 2025. The committee agreed to pay for LABBS registration to Convention for all members at a total cost of £8,600. In addition, chorus funds were also used to subsidise the annual retreat at a cost of £3,562. New costumes were purchased and replacement of some pink t-shirts at a total price of £10,655. Several members of the chorus continue to pay in to the Support Fund each month. It currently has balance of £3,749. This is to help members who are finding it difficult to pay monthly subs or convention costs. Please apply for help with costs if you need it. It is available to all who have been members of the chorus for 12 months. Fund raisin8 for our trip to Denver became a big part of 2024 raising over £8,000 but as mentioned previously this will be rolled into the accounts for 2025. Reserves Pollcy Amersham A Cappella has a general reserves policy which ensures both the protection of its restricted funds and the provision of sufficient funding for its basic operating costs for a perlod of six months. The Trustees consider that such funds are avallable at 30th November 2024. Funds are also retained in restricted reserves for the Support Fund. Thls fund is supported by the Indlvidual donations from members mentioned above, and from Chorus funds were deemed necessary by the Trustees and when funds allow. In addition, costume deposits are also included in restricted funds as costume remains the property of chorus and should be returned when a member leaves. Support Fund 2024 2023 th Balance as at 30 November 2023 Donations from members & chorus Grants made to members th Balance as at 30 November 2024 3,266 559 176) 3,749 2,712 994 14401 3,266 Approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf: Affia, /.br Amanda Parker (Chair) 18th February 2025
AMERSHAM A CAPPELLA registered charity no.1152868 Annual Report and Accounts Year ended 30 November 2024 Income & Expenditure Report Ai)iershani A Cappella 01-DEC-202.3. 30.NOV-2024 Currènt Yr Curieni Yr Prior Yr Pnor Yr 401)0 REVENUES 487 26.582 4001 Sub8eriPtlon• 28.010 23.892 4003 Perfomianc& Fee$ 15,250 3,190 4004 Grants r1vd 100 4010 Ml8c. Rgc•tpts 2,107 4011 Re-allocalioni 4100 VOLUNTARY INCOME 6.263 5.085 4105 Supptsrt Fund don8tlM8 559 994 4120 Tax RedaSmd on GIftAid 4.284 3,771 413S Costum• d8poBit8 440 320 4200 INVESTMENT INCOME 847 4203 Bank aecounl intsre8t 431JO FUNORA181NG INCOME 278 1.1175 4301 GeneTal FundrAi8ing 278 1,075 4305 Fund[n0 Income for Denv TOTAL INCOME 49.8fj3 33,122 DI 7000 COST OF SALES .622 7001 Ev•nt hlre & Rental costs -930 -178 7003 RlggrTr8n$ptsrt -760 7005 Entwtainment Costs -1,500 7011 Fundralsing Costs -52 7012 AdveTa 409 7013 Other Costs -197 7018 Donations to a eharity 400 702CI Purchase of stock ty resalg -131
AMERSHAM A CAPPELLA registered charity no.1152868 Annual Report and Accounts th Year ended 30 November 2024 7200 OVERHEADS 44.207 -30500 7201 Main Venue Hlre -3,797 -3, 148 7202 LABBS subs -3,749 4. 1S0 7203 Website & PR c08ts -199 -149 7204 Conventton {net C05tl -8.600 7205 Retre8t In&t costl 4,562 -2.594 72C6 Coachlng eosts -1,530 -1.326 7207 Bank Charges & Eyn¥8¥ -181 -72 7208 Glfts -331 7209 Accounting Soar? 8ubscrfp0n 7210 MD Expen8e8 .7,411 -7, 140 7211 Music cKJsts {purcha88 & arrnmen -1,974 -1, 155 7212 Mlscellaneou8 IABS 20221Sweden 2023 ,498 Dep08its Pald D•po8lts Rl¥la 7214 Support Fund Payments -76 440 7215 Costumo purcha8a -10,855 -Z443 7217 mako.up purchase 7220 Rl8er c4)sts {tfansportla88embtyl .1,074 -1.074 TOTAL EXPENDITURE 48.786 .3L121 SURPLU81{DEFICITJ FOR PERIOD 867 01-DEC-2023- 30-NOV-2024 Fund Balances Bal B/fwd Income Expense Transfers Bal C/fwd 1,880 RESTRIED Costume Deposits Support Fund RESTRIED Sub-Total IA40 REsfRIcfED 559 -76 3266 3.749 999 -76 4,706 5,629 UNRESTRicfED General Fund 37,lOZ 63.663 -62,854 -4.706 33,205 UNRESTRicfED Sub-Total 37,102 63,663 -62.854 .4,706 33,205 REPORT TOTAL 37,102 64,662 -62.930 38.834
AMERSHAM A CAPPELLA registered charity no.1152868 Annual Report and Accounts Year ended 30 November 2024 Statement of Assets & Liabilities Report Amersham A Cappella Period Ending 30-NOV-2024 Current Current Prior Yr Prior Yr ASss SAVINGS AND INVESTMENTS 18,640 32,994 AAC Savlng5 Account 18,640 32,994 FIXED ASss CASH AT BANK AND IN HAND 12,388 4,108 AAC CurrentAccount 12.388 4.108 Cash Account OTHER ASSErs 17,704 865 DEBTORS-DEBTORS 17,704 865 TOTAL ASSETS 48.732 37,967 LIABILITIES CURRENT LIABILITIES .9,898 CREDITORS -9,898 REPRESENTED BY FUNDS Costume Deposits 1,880 1,440 General Fund 33.205 33,261 Support Fund 3,749 3.266 Denver Fundraising LONG-TERM LIABILITIFS
AMERSHAM A CAPPELLA registered charity no.1152868 Annual Report and Accounts th Year ended 30 November 2024 Assets {Equipment) Location- St. Michael's Church Hall Amersham 10 Wenger Tourmaster 1.2m folding risers th 10 Wenger Tourmaster 1.2m additional 4 step risers 10 Wenger Tourmaster 1.2m back rails Wenger Tourmaster side rails Wenger Classic 50 Music Stand Stored b Musical Director- Helen La ert Olympus LS-11 Linear PCM Recorder + Di8ital Voice recorder + Remote Control Wenger Universal Tablet Stand SHIDU Wireless Portable Voice Amplifier with microphone Stored b Presentation Team- Helen Watson Panasonic HC-VIIO camcorder LED UC80 projector Projector screen mini HDMI extension cable Toshiba portable hard drlve Accounts prepared by.. Approved by the Management Committee on 13th February 2025 for adoption by members at the AGM on 18th February 2025 Anne Jones (Treasurer) Amanda Parker (Chair)
AMERSHAM A CAPPELLA registered charity no.1152868 Annual Report and Accounts Year ended 30° November 2024 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF AMERSHAM A CAPPELLA I report on the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 30 November 2024 as set out on pages 4- 7 Respective responsiblllties of Trustees and examiner The Charitys 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{21 of the Charities Act 2011) (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to.. examine the accounts under Section 145 of the Charitles Act to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions glven by the Charlties Commlssion {under Section 145(5){b) of the Charities Act). and to state whether particular matters have come to my attentlon. Basis of the Independent examlnerfs report My examination was carrled out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charlty Commlsslon. 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 you asTrustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be qUired in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given asto whetherthe accounts present a 'true and falr vleW and the report is limited to those matters set out in the next statement. Independent examlnerfs ststement In connection wlth my examination, no matter has come to my attention: l) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements. to keep accounting records in accordance with Sectlon 130 of the Charlties Act; and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply wlth the accountln8 requirements of the Charities Act have not been met; or 2} to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Michael R Hyde MVO Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales 'Rosemary Cottage, 3, Capell Road Chorleywood Hertfordshire WD3 SHY th 13 February 2025