Registered number 07151719
Little Actors Theatre Company (A company limited by guarantee)
Report and Unaudited Accounts
31 March 2021
## **Little Actors Theatre Company (A company limited by guarantee) Trustees' Report**
The Trustees' present their report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2021
## **Directors**
Mr E Parry - Chair Miss E M Miller - Treasurer Mrs S Kendall Mr D Giblin - resigned 14 May 2021 Ms S Wright Mr I Thomson- appointed 25th April 2020 Mrs S Thomson - appointed 25th April 2020
## **Secretary**
Mrs S Kendall
## **Key Personnel:**
Samantha Giblin – Artistic Director
## **Accountants**
Ashville Henderson 15B Broadway Higher Bebington Wirral CH63 5ND
## **Bankers**
HSBC PO Box 16 47 Eastgate Street Chester CH1 1XW
## **Registered office**
9 Carlton Close Parkgate Cheshire CH64 6TD
## **Registered number**
Company: 07151719 Charity: 1155249
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## **Little Actors Theatre Company (A company limited by guarantee) Trustees' Report For the year ended 31 March 2021**
## **Chairs Report**
In what started as unprecedented circumstances with the start of the Coronavirus Pandemic, Little Actors Theatre has had a successfully survived the initial finance difficulties. Following a zero income situation in April 2020, a series of survival grants led to online and in the room delivery around the various COVID-19 restrictions the Government put in place.
Most adult classes and workshops ceased to operate.
Children’s and young people’s workshops in the room operated with reduced numbers to accommodate social distancing requirements.
Dance and Tap classes stopped completely as did Nursery services,
In September 2017 in partnership with Centric Community Projects, Little Actors took on a property in Neston. The old job centre has now been renamed Neston Theatre Arts and all classes where possible were held there. The large size of the venue meant classes with social distancing could operate at reduced capacity.
Online work was delivered via Zoom and this proved very successful with a series of films being made with different groups. The films are available on You Tube. It also led to being more inclusive and having a wider reach as children from different parts of the UK joined us.
The grants and some fee charges led to the survival of the company beyond March 2021. In particular the grant support from Arts Council England.
The Board has committed members who are fully supportive of the aims of the charity.
The Artistic Director is always looking at new services and/or collaborations to offer to local communities and works tirelessly doing this.
All staff, volunteers, children, young people and parents were shocked by the sudden lock down due to Coronavirus and its length. The future for Little Actors Theatre Company was unknown at this time but the Artistic Director with the support of the Trustees and staff meant the charity survived the Covid-19 pandemic and is looking forward to the future.
## Our purposes and activities
This is primarily achieved through the delivery of professionally led singing, dance and drama activities in two geographical areas. Plus, the provision of youth theatre and adult dance and drama workshops. An open-door policy is applied to ensure access and inclusion is as wide as possible for the benefit of the public. The primary user group is children and young people with some focus on senior adults.
The company relies on grants to cover specific project costs and reasonable charges to cover overheads. Affordability is reflected in the pricing applied.
## **Our Volunteers**
LATC has volunteers offering different amounts of times and services. From periodic help such as operating lighting and sound equipment, set design and selling raffle tickets at shows to regular assistance with the design and maintenance of the web site. The volunteering no matter how small helps root the charity in the community and contributes to the sustainability of the charity.
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## **Little Actors Theatre Company (A company limited by guarantee) Trustees' Report For the year ended 31 March 2021**
## **Achievements and Performances**
50% scholarships are offered to low income families to encourage participation from all demographic backgrounds. Some free places for unwaged families were offered as part of the Holiday Activity Fund 2020 and 2021.
There were no public performances during this period
## **Financial Review**
The company started the financial year with reserves of £733. 2020-21 showed a surplus of £12,671.
LATC’s pricing policy offering income related discounts reflects our strategy of enabling all within the community to access our activities.
## **Reserves Policy and Going Concern**
Reserves Policy and Going Concern Reserves are reviewed to ensure the sustainability of the charity regardless of income dips and peaks in future years. They also bridge the gap between the receiving of income and expenditure, plus as an emergency fund for sudden costs arising such as repairs to equipment etc.
The trustees intend to maintain the reserve at this level and to review reductions and increases on an annual basis.
## **Plans for Future Periods**
The plan for the forthcoming annual repertoire includes the development of the fee discount scheme to widen access and inclusion. The repertoire included collaborations with the National Theatre, The Lowry, Salford Quays, Storyhouse, LAMDA and the Leverhulme Drama Festival.
Links with the community, particularly in Neston continues to strengthen with collaborations with the CH64 Events Committee, plus strong bonds with Neston Town Council, the NC&YC, Neston Arts Network and Cheshire West and Chester local councillors and the local MP.
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**Little Actors Theatre Company (A company limited by guarantee) Trustees' Report For the year ended 31 March 2021**
## **Structure, Governance and Management**
## **Governing Document**
Little Actors Theatre Company is a Company Limited by Guarantee and a Registered Charity. The Governing Document was amended for the charitable purposes with the services of the Independent Theatre Council in December 2013.
## **Appointment of Trustees**
Trustees would be appointed if a vacancy became available and in line with requirements of the Articles of Association.
## **Trustee Induction and Training**
Potential Trustees are invited to a Trustees meeting for the opportunity to see the required levels of involvement and commitment. New Trustees would be appointed by a vote of existing Trustees.
Trustees are provided with copies of all policies and procedures and the Articles of Association. New Trustees are invited to visit venues and activities and to familiarise themselves with LATC’s activities. The Artistic Director facilitates the practical induction of new Trustees with the provisional of all necessary documents.
Training is provided via membership of EPNAVCO. Recent training has included Safeguarding and Child Protection and First Aid.
## **Organisation and Responsibility**
There are currently six Trustees. They determine the path the charity takes and oversee the progress. The Artistic Director reports directly to the Trustees and administrates the plans and decisions of the Trustees.
The Trustees are responsible for the delivery of all the legal requirements of reporting and accounting Companies House, HMRC and the Charities Commission in line with the requirements set out in the Articles of Association.
## **Related Parties and co-operation with other organisations**
No Trustee received remuneration for their services.
The Charity is able to deliver its services and to raise standards by having close relationships with the National Theatre (Connections), The Lowry, the ITC, Equity and Storyhouse. In the Neston community there are strong community links with Neston Town Council, Cheshire West and Chester councillors, the local MP, CAN Group, the CH64 Events Committee, The Neston Village Fair Committee and Neston Community and Youth Centre.
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## **Little Actors Theatre Company (A company limited by guarantee) Trustees' Report**
## **For the year ended 31 March 2021**
## **Pay Policy for Senior Staff**
The Artistic Director and all actor/facilitators are free-lance and deliver work on a session basis. Contracts are issued having been approved by ITC/Equity. Rates of pay are reviewed annually and remain in line with Equity minimum or above.
## **Risk Management**
On an annual basis the Trustees review all policies and procedures. Amendments are made if required by new legislation or staff recommendation. Particular attention is paid to the Health and Safety Policy and the Child Protection/Safeguarding Policy. Advice and resources are sought from the ITC to ensure all risk management is documented and adhered to.
Risk assessments are produced as required for each event and venue by the Artistic Director in conjunction with the manager at the relevant venue.
## **Trustees' responsibilities in relation to the financial statements**
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for the year.In preparing those accounts, the trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the accounts;
- prepare the accounts on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and to enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Charities Act . They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
In so far as the trustees are aware:
- there is no relevant information of which the charitable company's auditor is unaware; and
- the trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the auditor is aware of that
The Report was approved by the Board on 21 October 2021
Miss E Miller Director
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## **Little Actors Theatre Company**
## **Independent Examiners Report to the Trustees of Little Actors Theatre Company**
I report on the accounts of the charitable company for the year ended 31 March 2021 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet and the related notes.
## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner**
The Trustees, who are also directors for the purposes of company law, are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is required.
Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:
- examine the accounts under Section 145 of the Charities Act;
- to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act; and
- to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
## **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 charitable company 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 as 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:
- (1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements:
- to keep accounting records in accordance with s130 of the Charities Act; and
- to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met
(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Anne Finnegan BA ACA Ashville Henderson 15B Broadway Higher Bebington Wirral CH63 5ND
- 21 October 2021
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## **Little Actors Theatre Company (A company limited by guarantee) Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 March 2021**
|**Notes**
**Income and endowments from:**
Donations and legacies
Charitable activities
3
Investments
Activities for generating funds
2
Trading activities - nurseries
Grants received - general
**Total Incoming Resources**
Fundraising costs
Charitable activities
5
Trading activities
4
Governance costs
6
**Total Resources Expended**
**Net Incoming (outgoing) resources**
**Transfers between funds**
**Funds brought forward**
**Total funds carried forward**
14|**2021**
**2021**
**2021**
**2020**
**Restricted Unrestricted**
**Total**
**Total**|
|---|---|
||**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
-
615
615
-
33,191
21,752
54,943
42,470
-
3
3
11
-
969
969
1,990
-
-
37,614
300
-
300|
||33,491
23,339
56,830
82,085|
||30,332
12,248
42,580
37,732
-
-
-
32,086
300
1,279
1,579
11,685|
||30,632
13,527
44,159
81,503|
||2,859
9,812
12,671
582
91
91
-
-
-
-
733
733
151|
||**2,950**
**10,454**
**13,404**
**733**|
The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All incoming resources and resources expended derive from continuing activities.
7
## **Little Actors Theatre Company (A company limited by guarantee) Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2021**
|**Notes**
**Fixed assets**
Tangible assets
10
**Current assets**
Stocks
Debtors
11
Cash at bank and in hand
**Creditors: amounts falling due**
**within one year**
12
**Net current assets**
**Net assets**
**Funds**
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
**Total funds**|**2021**
**2020**
**£**
**£**
154
23
50
300
241
206
15,507
1,848
15,798
2,354
(2,548)
(1,644)
13,250
710
13,404
733
10,454
733
2,950
-
13,404
733|
|---|---|
|||
The directors are satisfied that the company is entitled to exemption from the requirement to obtain an audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Act.
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions in Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.
Miss E Miller Director Approved by the board on 21 October 2021
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**Little Actors Theatre Company (A company limited by guarantee) Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2021**
## **1 Accounting policies**
## _**Basis of preparation**_
The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention, and in accordance with the Charities' SORP(FRS102), applicable accounting standards and the Companies Act 2006.
## _**Going Concern**_
The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis as the Trustees believe that no material uncertainties exist. The Covid-19 pandemic has created financial pressures on the charity however the Trustees have considered the levels of funds held and the level of income and expenditure, together with the reserves for the charity, sufficient to be able to continue as a going concern.
## _**Depreciation**_
Depreciation has been provided at the following rates in order to write off the assets over their estimated useful life
Business equipment 25% reducing balance Computer equipment over 3 years
## _**Incoming Resources**_
Voluntary income including donations and grants that provide core funding or are of a general nature are recognised where there is entitlement, certainty of receipt and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability.
Investment income is recognised on a receivables basis.
Income from charitable activities includes grants received under contract, and is recognised where there is entitlement, certainty of receipt and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability. Income is deferred when the donors specify that it must be used in future accounting periods or donor conditions have not been
## _**Volunteers and donated services and facilities**_
The value of services provided by volunteers is not incorporated into these financial statements. Further details of the contribution by volunteers can be found in the Trustees Annual Report.
Where services are provided to the Charity as a donation that would normally be purchased from our suppliers, the contribution is included in the financial statements at an estimate based on the value of the contribution to the charity.
## _**Resources expended**_
Resources expended are included in the Statement of Financial Activities on an accruals basis inclusive of any vat which cannot be recovered. Expenditure which is directly attributable to specific activities has been included in these cost categories. Where costs are attributable to more than one activity they have been apportioned across categories on a basis consistent with the use of these resources.
## _**Funds**_
Unrestricted funds are incoming resources receivable for the objects of the charity without further specified purpose and are available as general funds.
Restricted funds are to be used for specific purposes as laid down by the donor. Expenditure which meets these criteria is charged to the fund.
9
## **Little Actors Theatre Company (A company limited by guarantee) Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2021**
|**2**
**Activities for generating funds**
T shirts
Tuck Shop
Fundraising
**3**
**Charitable Activities**
Theatre Clubs
Summer/Autumn Course
Interact
Brightlife
Brightlights
Covid Lockdown
Covid ACE
Covid Other
Other
Adult Drama
Adult Dance
General Grants received
**4**
**Trading Activities Expenditure**
General
**5**
**Direct Charitable Expenditure**
Theatre Clubs
Summer/Autumn Course
InterAct
Brightlife
Brightlights
Covid Lockdown
Covid ACE
Covid Other
Other|**Restricted**
**£**
-
-
-
-
**Restricted**
**£**
3,238
6,125
1,210
-
1,500
2,500
16,618
2,000
-
-
-
33,191
300
33,491
**Restricted**
**£**
-
**Restricted**
**£**
1,038
6,125
1,210
-
750
2,591
16,618
2,000
30,332|**Unrestricted**
**£**
88
50
831
969
**Unrestricted**
**£**
17,850
-
1,876
-
-
-
-
680
512
490
344
21,752
-
21,752
**Unrestricted**
**£**
-
**Unrestricted**
**£**
9,962
-
966
-
-
-
-
607
713
12,248|**2021**
**£**
88
50
831
969
**2021**
**£**
21,088
6,125
3,086
-
1,500
2,500
16,618
2,680
512
490
344
54,943
300
55,243
**2021**
**£**
-
-
**2021**
**£**
11,000
6,125
2,176
-
750
2,591
16,618
2,607
713
42,580|**2020**
**£**
178
187
1,625|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||1,990|
|||||**2020**
**£**
23,821
940
6,489
4,667
2,090
-
-
-
718
1,477
2,268|
|||||42,470
-|
|||||42,470|
|||||**2020**
**£**
32,086|
|||||32,086|
|||||**2020**
**£**
21,205
768
7,119
4,522
3,194
-
-
-
924|
|||||37,732|
10
## **Little Actors Theatre Company (A company limited by guarantee) Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2021**
## **6 Governance Costs**
|**Governance Costs**|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|Artistic Director
Accountancy
Insurance
Other|**Restricted**
**£**
-
-
-
300
300|**Unrestricted**
**£**
-
-
-
1,279
1,279|**2021**
**£**
-
-
-
1,579
1,579|**2020**
**£**
8,175
1,246
534
1,730|
|||||11,685|
## **7 Grants Paid**
No grants were paid in the year, nor in the previous year
## **8 Trustees remuneration and staff costs**
No remuneration was paid to trustees in the year, nor were any expenses reimbursed to them The following costs were included within charitable activities:
## **9 Operating Outgoings**
The operating outgoings are stated after charging:
|Depreciation - owned assets|**2021**
**£**
51
51|**2020**
**£**
8|
|---|---|---|
|||8|
## **10 Tangible fixed assets**
|**Cost**
At 1 April 2020
Additions
At 31 March 2021
**Depreciation**
At 1 April 2020
Charge for the year
At 31 March 2021
**Net book value**
At 31 March 2021
At 31 March 2020|**Plant and**
**machinery**
**etc**
**£**
906
182|
|---|---|
||1,088|
||883
51|
||934|
||154|
||23|
11
## **Little Actors Theatre Company (A company limited by guarantee) Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2021**
|**11**
**Debtors**
Trade debtors
Other debtors
**12**
**Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**
Bank loans and overdrafts
Trade creditors
Other creditors|**2021**
**£**
154
87
241
**2021**
**£**
-
91
2,457
2,548|**2020**
**£**
119
87|
|---|---|---|
|||206|
|||**2020**
**£**
-
794
850|
|||1,644|
## **13 Related party disclosures**
The Trustees have undertaken to contribute an amount not exeeding £1 towards meeting the Charity's liabilities in the event of its being wound up
The Charity's Trustees were not paid during the year and no Trustee received any emolument or payment for professional or other services.
## **Controlling Entity**
The charity is controlled by the trustees who are all directors of the company.
## **14 Statement of funds**
|**Statement of funds**||||
|---|---|---|---|
|At 1 April 2020
Income
Expenditure
Transfer
At 31 March 2021|**Restricted**
**£**
**-**
33,491
(30,632)
91
2,950|**Unrestricted**
**£**
733
23,339
(13,527)
(91)
10,454|**Total**
**£**
733
56,830
(44,159)
-|
||||13,404|
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**Little Actors Theatre Company (A company limited by guarantee) Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2021**
## **15 Restricted funds**
The income funds of the charity include restricted funds comprising the following unexpended balances of grants held on trust for specific purposes
|**Balances at**
**1/04/2020**
CWaC
**-**
Neston Town Council
**-**
Arts Council
**-**
Edsential CC
**-**
Enrichment Technology
**-**
Co-op
**-**
Cheshire Community Foundation
**-**
Masons
**-**
**-**|**Incoming**
**Resources**
3,250
3,500
17,343
5,504
300
894
1,500
1,200
33,491|**Resources**
**Expended**
2,500
3,500
16,343
5,504
300
894
1,500
30,541|**Balances at**
**31/03/2021**
750
-
1,000
-
-
-
-
1,200|
|---|---|---|---|
||||2,950|
All restricted funds held at 31 March 2021 will be spent in the year ended 31 March 2022 as follows: CWaC - Brightlights Arts Council - Interact Masons - Theatre Clubs
## **16 Other information**
Little Actors Theatre Company is a charitable company limited by guarantee in England and Wales It's registered number is 07151719, and it's registered adddress is 9 Carlton Close, Parkgate Cheshire, CH64 6TD
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