Registered number 07151719
Little Actors Theatre Company (A company limited by guarantee)
## Report and Unaudited Accounts
31 March 2023
## **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 2023
## **Directors**
Mr I Thomson - Chair Mr E Parry - Chair - resigned 28 June 2022 Mrs S Wright - Treasurer Miss E M Miller Mrs S Kendall Mrs S Thomson Ms E Templeman - appointed 20 October 2022
## **Secretary**
Mrs S Kendall - resigned 13 April 2022 Mrs S Thompson - appointed 13 April 2022
## **Key Personnel:**
Samantha Giblin – Artistic Director
## **Accountants**
Ashville Henderson 15B Broadway Higher Bebington Wirral CH63 5ND
## **Bankers**
Co-operative Bank PO Box 250 Skelmerdale WN8 6WT
## **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 2023**
## **Chairs Report**
During this period the Coronavirus Pandemic still impacted although in a more reduced way. Working in spaces opened up with less and less restrictions. Grants both restricted and unrestricted were successfully secured.
Brightlights Theatre managed to resume in a larger space in Neston Town Hall and rehearsed for the Cheshire One Act Festival at Storyhouse in March 2023. One of the actors won the best actor award.
Children’s and young people’s workshops in the room operated well. In particular in Neston where numbers grew.
InterACT Youth Theatre again participated in National Theatre Connections choosing ‘The Heights’ by Lisa McGee. Home shows were followed by a transfer to The Lowry. Plus at the Leverhulme Festival winning the Best Actress Award and the overall competition winners. There was also an adjudicators award for best comedy moment for two young actresses.
The Junior InterACT Youth Theatre entered the Leverhulme Drama Festival with ‘Romeo and Juliet – in our own words’ and the young lead actor won the Best Actor Award.
Adult dance class resumed post-pandemic.
The professional company of actors again presented the Scrooge Christmas show in Neston Town Hall with a fundraising Grotto on offer.
In London the classes based at Wanstead House continued for ages 5 - 16 including LAMDA classes. A public Christmas show was presented and the Youth theatre began rehearsals with ‘Variations’ for presentation later in the year at Wanstead High School. Sadly the Theatre Tots class did not have enough participants so went on hold.
In June 2022 a space was secured in Neston Town Hall to act as office and storage space with room for meetings. Enough fundraising has been secured to pay the rent for the two years of the lease
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 collaborations to offer to local communities and works tirelessly doing this. She undertook an MA in Applied Theatre at Royal Central School of Speech and Drama so as to upskill in order to drive the charity forward. Two Associate Directors took on some of the Artistic Directors duties but she remained steering the company through the financial year.
## **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.
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## **Little Actors Theatre Company (A company limited by guarantee) Trustees' Report**
## **For the year ended 31 March 2023**
## **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.
50% scholarships are offered to low income families to encourage participation from all demographic backgrounds. Some free places for unwaged families were offered when funding permits and as part of the Holiday Activity Fund 2022 for the summer course.
## **Financial Review**
The company started the financial year with reserves of £7,090. 2022/23 showed a deficit of £1,425 leaving reserves of £5,665 to carry forward to 2023/24.
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.
## **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, 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 2023**
## **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 Cheshire West Voluntary Action. Recent training has included Safeguarding and Child Protection and First Aid.
## **Organisation and Responsibility**
There are currently five 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 2023**
## **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 30 October 2023
Mrs Emma Templeman 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 2023 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
30 October 2023
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## **Little Actors Theatre Company (A company limited by guarantee) Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 March 2023**
|**Notes**
**Income and endowments from:**
Donations and legacies
Charitable activities
3
Investments
Activities for generating funds
2
Trading activities - nurseries
**Total Incoming Resources**
Fundraising costs
Charitable activities
4
Trading activities
Governance costs
5
**Total Resources Expended**
**Net Incoming (outgoing) resources**
**Transfers between funds**
**Funds brought forward**
**Total funds carried forward**
13|**2023**
**2023**
**2023**
**2022**
**Restricted Unrestricted**
**Total**
**Total**|
|---|---|
||**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
-
-
26,544
43,158
69,702
67,082
-
18
18
3
-
1,190
1,190
1,867
-
-
-
1,325|
||26,544
44,366
70,910
70,277|
||26,544
39,308
65,852
70,859
-
-
-
-
6,483
6,483
5,732|
||26,544
45,791
72,335
76,591|
||-
1,425
-
1,425
-
6,314
-
-
-
-
-
7,090
7,090
13,404|
||**-**
**5,665**
**5,665**
**7,090**|
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 2023**
|**Notes**
**Fixed assets**
Tangible assets
9
**Current assets**
Stocks
Debtors
10
Cash at bank and in hand
**Creditors: amounts falling due**
**within one year**
11
**Net current assets**
**Net assets**
**Funds**
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
**Total funds**|**2023**
**2022**
**£**
**£**
87
116
165
165
3,717
1,778
7,997
20,182
11,879
22,125
(6,301)
(15,151)
5,578
6,974
5,665
7,090
5,665
7,090
-
-
5,665
7,090|
|---|---|
|||
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.
Mrs Emma Templeman Director Approved by the board on 30 October 2023
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**Little Actors Theatre Company (A company limited by guarantee) Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023**
## **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.
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## **Little Actors Theatre Company (A company limited by guarantee) Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023**
|**2**
**Activities for generating funds**
T shirts
Tuck Shop
Fundraising
**3**
**Charitable Activities**
Theatre Clubs
Easter/Summer/Autumn Course
Interact
Box office
Brightlights
Filming
Adult Dance
**4**
**Direct Charitable Expenditure**
Theatre Clubs
Summer/Autumn Course
InterAct
Filming
Brightlights|**Restricted**
**£**
-
-
-
-
**Restricted**
**£**
22,959
2,116
1,469
-
-
-
-
26,544
**Restricted**
**£**
22,959
2,116
1,469
-
-
26,544|**Unrestricted**
**£**
165
404
621
1,190
**Unrestricted**
**£**
34,038
1,140
6,916
607
-
-
457
43,158
**Unrestricted**
**£**
31,734
907
6,667
-
-
39,308|**2023**
**£**
165
404
621
1,190
**2023**
**£**
56,997
3,256
8,385
607
-
-
457
69,702
**2023**
**£**
54,693
3,023
8,136
-
-
65,852|**2022**
**£**
228
355
1,284|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||1,867|
|||||**2022**
**£**
53,193
1,372
5,723
1,525
1,500
3,637
132|
|||||67,082|
|||||**2022**
**£**
50,987
4,490
9,408
3,636
2,339|
|||||70,860|
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## **Little Actors Theatre Company (A company limited by guarantee) Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023**
## **5 Governance Costs**
|**Governance Costs**|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|Office rent
Accountancy
Insurance
Other|**Restricted**
**£**
-
-
-
-
-|**Unrestricted**
**£**
4,845
1,155
454
29
6,483|**2023**
**£**
4,845
1,155
454
29
6,483|**2022**
**£**
2,950
1,104
454
1,224|
|||||5,732|
## **6 Grants Paid**
No grants were paid in the year, nor in the previous year
## **7 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:
## **8 Operating Outgoings**
The operating outgoings are stated after charging:
|Depreciation - owned assets
**Tangible fixed assets**
**Cost**
At 1 April 2022
Additions
At 31 March 2023
**Depreciation**
At 1 April 2022
Charge for the year
At 31 March 2023
**Net book value**
At 31 March 2023
At 31 March 2022|**2023**
**£**
29
29
**Plant and**
**machinery**
**etc**
**£**
1,088
-
1,088
972
29
1,001
87
116|**2022**
**£**
38|
|---|---|---|
|||38|
||||
## **9 Tangible fixed assets**
11
## **Little Actors Theatre Company (A company limited by guarantee) Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023**
|**10**
**Debtors**
Trade debtors
Other debtors
**11**
**Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**
Bank loans and overdrafts
Trade creditors
Other creditors|**2023**
**£**
3,476
241
3,717
**2023**
**£**
-
-
6,301
6,301|**2022**
**£**
426
1,352|
|---|---|---|
|||1,778|
|||**2022**
**£**
-
1,111
14,040|
|||15,151|
## **12 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.
## **13 Statement of funds**
|**Statement of funds**||||
|---|---|---|---|
|At 1 April 2022
Income
Expenditure
Transfer
At 31 March 2023|**Restricted**
**£**
26,544
(26,544)
-|**Unrestricted**
**£**
7,090
44,366
(45,791)
5,665|**Total**
**£**
7,090
70,910
(72,335)
-|
||||5,665|
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**Little Actors Theatre Company (A company limited by guarantee) Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023**
## **14 Restricted funds**
The income funds of the charity include restricted funds comprising the following unexpended balances of grants held on trust for specific purposes
|CWaC
Neston Town Council
Edsential CC
Creative Lives
Tesco
Redbridge Theatre Company
Marjory Boddy Trust
Masons
Co-op
Spacehive
Cheshire West Voluntary Action
Cheshire Community Foundation
John Thaw Foundation
GODA|**Balances at**
**1/04/2022**
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-|**Incoming**
**Resources**
1,580
2,500
1,116
200
500
7,671
1,000
200
1,369
7,435
500
1,373
1,000
100
26,544|**Resources**
**Expended**
1,580
2,500
1,116
200
500
7,671
1,000
200
1,369
7,435
500
1,373
1,000
100
26,544|**Balances at**
**31/03/2023**
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||-|
## **15 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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