Victoria Music Lifestyles
Charity number 1156101
A Company limited by guarantee number 08657880
Annual Report and Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 March 2026
Victoria Music Lifestyles
Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2026
| Contents | Page |
|---|---|
| Trustees' Annual Report | 2 to 4 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 5 |
| Statement of financial activities | 6 |
| Balance sheet | 7 |
| Statement of Cash flows | 8 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 9 to 14 |
Prepared by the Greater Merseyside Community Accountancy Service
1
Victoria Music Lifestyles
Trustees' report continued
Objects and Activities:
The principal activity of Victoria Music Ltd (VML) remains to provide access to the performing arts for everyone, irrespective of age, disadvantage or disability, and to offer community wellbeing sessions for the people of Halton.
The charity remains working on all of its established services and workshops within the community. We continue to look after the young and old giving them affordable access to the arts and free at point of access for those most in need.
We have grown a vibrant youth group over the past 18 months that continues to thrive. All of the wellbeing projects continue being successful: Dementia Café’s, singing for the elderly homes and ‘Big Sings’ for the community isolated are all in full flow.
The biggest undertaking this year was to move from a Limited company status to a Charitable Interest Organisation. Obviously maintaining our registered charity status.
Much is planned for the year ahead in terms of accessible theatre for performers and audiences and a second youth group specifically aimed at drama alone is being planned.
Structure, Governance and Management:
The Board of Trustees continue to hold their regular meetings. The goverance of the charity is continually being monitored and updated but there has been no issues of any sort this past year.
Public Benefit
We have worked even harder this year on the aims of the charity to ensure we reach the people who need us most and have grown our network of partners within the community.
Darren Gibbons Chairman
2
Victoria Music Lifestyles
Financial Review
The deficit of the charity for the year amounted to (£2,224) (Surplus £3,558 ~ 2025)
Reserves Policy
Details of the charity's reserves are shown in note 7a and show a figure of £40,819. This level of reserves is equivalent to 18 months of project running costs.
Risk Management
The trustees actively review the major strategic, business and operational risks that the charity faces on a regular basis and acknowledge that the key risks relate to reduction in room hire and any major building issues.
Statement of Directors' responsibilities
Company law requires the directors to prepare financial accounts for each 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 charity for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to:
select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
state whether applicable UK accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements.
prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business;
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. 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.
Approved by the Board on 20th August 2026 and signed on behalf of the directors by:
Mr D Gibbons
Mr D Gibbons Chairperson
3
Reference and Administrative Details
Victoria Music Lifestyles
Charity number 1156101
A Company limited by guarantee number 08657880
The trustees,who are the directors of the company for the purposes of company law, are pleased to present their report and financial statements together with the independent examiner's report for the year ended 31 March 2026.
Name Position Dates Mr Darren Gibbons Chairman Claire Barker Treasurer Mrs Lynne Clarke Eileen Felton Helen Jenkinson
Members of the board of trustees, who are the directors for the purpose of company law and trustees for the purpose of charity law who served during the year are set out above. The trustees meet monthly and receive reports from management to manage their charity's affairs.
Company Secretary
Mr R Littler
Method of appointment
Recruitment of new trustees is open, and focused on creating a diverse and effective Board.
Registered address
10 Norman Road Runcorn Cheshire WA7 5PE
Bankers
HSBC 48 High Street Runcorn WA7 1AN
Governing document
The organisation is a company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 20th August 2013 in the name of Victoria Music Limited Company Number 08657880 and registered as a Charity on 11th March 2014 Charity number 1156101.
The organisation was established under a Memorandum of Association, incorporated on 20th August 2013, which established the objects and powers of the company and is governed under its Articles of Association, as amended by special resolution registered at Companies House on 27th February 2014.
The organisation was converted to a Charitable Incoporated Organistion on 26th June 2026.
Objects of the organisation
To promote, maintain and advance the education of the public by the encouragement of the arts including the art of music, singing, drama, visual arts by the promotion of performances and workshops and other activities for the benefit of the inhabitants of North West England.
4
Independent Examiner's report to the trustees of Victoria Music Ltd
I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31st March 2026 set out on pages 6 to 14
Respective responsibilities of the Trustees and examiner
The charity's trustees (who are also the directors of the company 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 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. 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:
q examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
q to follow the procedures laid down in the general directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
q state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of Independent examiner's statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. 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 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:
q to keep accounting records in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006; and
q to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 and with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities
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.
Jane Williams
Jane Williams MAAT
Greater Merseyside Community Accountancy Service
St Maries Lugsdale Road Widnes WA8 6DB
25th August 2026
5
Victoria Music Lifestyles Statement of Financial Activities
(Including Income & Expenditure Account) for the year ended 31 March 2026
| Notes 2026 Unrestricted funds £ Income from: Income from donations (4) 14,798 Income from charitable activities (5) 1,955 Other incoming resources (6) 5,039 Bank interest - Total incoming resources 21,793 Resources expended Charitable activities (7) 24,016 Net incoming / (outgoing) resources (2,224) Transfers between funds - Net movement in funds (2,224) Reconciliation of funds Total funds as at 01 April 2025 43,043 Total funds as at 31 March 2026 (7a) 40,819 |
2026 Restricted funds £ 4,000 - - - 4,000 4,000 - - - - - |
2026 Total funds £ 18,798 1,955 5,039 - 25,793 28,016 (2,224) - (2,224) 43,043 40,819 |
2025 Total funds £ 23,346 474 5,996 - |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29,816 | |||
| 26,258 | |||
| 3,558 - |
|||
| 3,558 39,485 |
|||
| 43,043 |
The above statement includes all gains and loses recognised during the year. All activities are regarded as continuing.
Comparative figures for the previous year by fund type are shown in Note 12. The Notes on pages 8 to 14 form an integral part of these accounts.
6
Victoria Music Lifestyles
Charity number 1156101
A Company limited by guarantee number 08657880 Balance sheet
as at 31 March 2026
| 2026 Unrestricted Current Assets £ Debtors and prepayments (6) - Cash at bank and in hand (7) 40,819 Total current assets 40,819 Current liabilities: amounts falling due within one year Creditors (due within one year) (8) - Total current liabilities - Net Assets 40,819 Funds of the charity Restricted Funds - Unrestricted funds 40,819 Total Funds 40,819 |
2026 Restricted £ - - - - - - - - - |
2026 Total £ - 40,819 40,819 - - 40,819 - 40,819 40,819 |
2025 Total £ - 43,043 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 43,043 | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| 43,043 | |||
| - 43,043 |
|||
| 43,043 |
The trustees (who are also the directors of the company for the purposes of company law) confirm that for the year ended 31 March 2026
the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006, and
the members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in . accordance with section 476 of the Act
the trustees acknowledge their responsiblities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts
The notes on pages 8 to 14 form an integral part of these accounts.
These accounts, which have been prepared in accordance with the provisions in the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies, were approved by the trustees on 20th August 2026 and signed on their behalf by:
Claire Barker
Claire Barker Director / Trustee
7
Victoria Music Lifestyles STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 March 2026
| Cash flows from operating activities: Net income/(expenditure) per SOFA Investment income (Increase)/decrease in debtors (5) Increase/(decrease) in creditors Cash flows from investing activities Investment income (6) Net increase/(decrease) in cash: Total cash as at 01 April 2025 Total cash as at 31 March 2026 |
2026 Total £ (2,224) - - - (2,224) - (2,224) 43,043 40,819 |
2025 Total £ 3,558 - - - |
|---|---|---|
| 3,558 | ||
| - | ||
| 3,558 39,485 |
||
| 43,043 |
The notes on pages 8 to 14 form an integral part of these accounts.
8
Victoria Music Lifestyles
Notes to the accounts
for the year ended 31 March 2026
1 Basis of preparation
-
These accounts (financial statements) have been prepared under the historical cost convention,
-
1.1 with items recognised at cost or transaction value, unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s), in accordance with:
-
(a) The Charities Act 2011
-
(b) The Companies Act 2006
-
(c) The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland: FRS 102
-
(d) Accounting & Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (Charities SORP FRS 102) (effective January 2019)
-
1.2 The charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102
-
1.3[The][trustees][consider][that][there][are][not][material][uncertainties][about][the][charity's][ability][to] continue as a going concern.
2 Accounting Policies
2.1 Fund accounting
(a) Unrestricted funds are those that can be expended at the discretion of the trustees in the furtherance of the objects of the charity.
(b) Restricted funds are those that may only be used for specific purposes. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor, or when funds are raised for specific purposes.
- (c) The purposes of the funds are shown in Note 7a.
2.2 Income
- (a) Income is recognised and included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA) when the charity becomes entitled to the income; receipt is probable; and the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability.
(b) Where income has related expenditure (e.g. drama), the income and related expenditure are reported gross in the SOFA.
-
(c) Bank interest is recognised when credited to the account.
-
(d) Gift Aid, where appropriate, is recognised in the same accounting period as the donation to which it relates.
(e) Income, which is subject to conditions that the charity has yet to fulfil, or which is specifically for use in a future accounting period, is treated as deferred income.
2.3 Expenditure and liabilities
(a) Expenditure is recognised on the accruals basis.
(b) The charity is not registered for VAT, thus all costs are shown inclusive of VAT charged.
(c) Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation to pay out resources.
(d) Governance costs include the costs of preparation and examination of the statutory accounts, the cost of trustee meetings and the cost of any legal advice to trustees on governance or constitutional matters.
9
Victoria Music Lifestyles
Notes to the accounts
for the year ended 31 March 2026
2.4 Tangible Fixed Assets
(a) Tangible fixed assets are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year and cost at least £1,000. They are valued at cost or, if gifted, at their value on receipt. Rates of depreciation
Building Improvements: 20% straight line basis to nil Fixtures and fittings: 15% straight line basis to nil Equipment: 20% straight line basis to nil
2.5 Debtors
(a) Debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due.
(b) Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid.
2.6 Cash
(a) Cash comprises bank deposits repayable on demand and any short-term highly liquid investments with a maturity date of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
2.7 Creditors
(a) Creditors are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors are normally recognised at their settlement amount, usually the invoice amount.
- (b) Accrued charges are normally valued at their settlement amount.
2.8 Taxation
The charity is not liable to income tax or capital gains tax on its charitable activities.
3 Transactions with trustees and related parties
No trustees received any remuneration or expenses during the accounting period.
Owing to the nature of the charity's activities and the composition of the board of trustees (being drawn from local statutory and voluntary organisation), it is inevitable that transactions will take place with organisations in which a trustee may have an interest. All transactions in which a trustee may have an interest are conducted at arm's length and in accordance with the charity's financial regulations and expenditure procedures. No transactions were indentified which should be disclosed under FRS 102.
10
Victoria Music Lifestyles
Notes to the accounts
for the year ended 31 March 2026
| 4 Income from donations Halton Borough Council Cheshire Police & Crime Commissioner Gift Aid Receipts Donations 5 Income from charitable activities Fundraising 6 Other Incoming resources from charitable activities Ticket Sales Lottery Other Incoming Resources |
2026 Unrestricted funds £ - - 1,865 12,934 14,798 2026 Unrestricted funds £ 1,955 1,955 Unrestricted funds £ 2,907 2,132 - 5,039 |
2026 Restricted funds £ - 4,000 - - 4,000 2026 Restricted funds £ - - Restricted funds £ - - - - |
2026 Total funds £ - 4,000 1,865 12,934 18,798 2026 Total funds £ 1,955 1,955 Total funds £ 2,907 2,132 - 5,039 |
2025 Total funds £ 7,000 - 3,391 12,955 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23,346 | ||||
| 2025 Total funds £ 474 |
||||
| 474 | ||||
| Total funds £ 4,154 1,832 10 |
||||
| 5,996 |
11
Victoria Music Lifestyles
Notes to the accounts
for the year ended 31 March 2026
| 7 | Expenditure of charitable activities | Expenditure of charitable activities | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Unrestricted funds Direct Costs £ Rent & Room Hire 4,000 Insurance 291 Production Costs 10,101 Stationery & Postage 535 Administration 8,640 Donations 100 Memberships & Licenses 30 Bank Charges 51 Governance costs 269 Total resources expended 24,016 |
2026 Restricted funds |
2026 2025 Total Total funds funds |
||
| £ 4,000 291 10,101 535 8,640 100 30 51 269 24,016 |
£ - - 4,000 - - - - - - 4,000 |
£ £ 4,000 3,784 291 269 14,101 11,966 535 523 8,640 8,640 100 610 30 130 51 77 269 259 28,016 26,258 |
12
Victoria Music Lifestyles
Notes to the accounts
for the year ended 31 March 2026
| 7a 8 9 10 **11 ** |
Movements in funds | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| As at 01/04/2025 Incoming Resources Outgoing Resources Unrestricted funds £ £ £ General funds 43,043 21,793 24,016 Restricted funds Cheshire Police & Crime Com - 4,000 4,000 - 4,000 4,000 Total funds 43,043 25,793 28,016 Purpose of restricted funds Governance Costs Independent Examiners' fee DBS Checks Annual Return Fee Debtors and prepayments Debtors Prepayments Cash at bank and in hand Current Account Creditors and accruals Creditors Accruals Community Foundation provided funding for drama & productions. |
As at 01/04/2025 |
Incoming Resources |
Outgoing Resources |
Transfers | As at 31/03/2026 |
|
| £ 43,043 |
£ 21,793 |
£ 24,016 |
£ - |
£ 40,819 |
||
| - - 43,043 |
4,000 4,000 25,793 |
4,000 4,000 28,016 |
- - - |
- | ||
| - | ||||||
| 40,819 | ||||||
| 2026 £ 225 10 34 269 £ - - - £ 40,819 40,819 £ - - - |
2025 £ 225 - 34 |
|||||
| 259 | ||||||
| £ - - |
||||||
| - | ||||||
| £ 43,043 |
||||||
| 43,043 | ||||||
| £ - - |
||||||
| - |
13
Victoria Music Lifestyles
Notes to the accounts
for the year ended 31 March 2026
| 12 Comparative income and expenditure by fund type 2026 £ Income from: Income from donations 14,798 Income from charitable activities 1,955 Other incoming resources 5,039 Bank interest - Total incoming resources 21,793 Expenditure on: Charitable activities 24,016 Net incoming / (outgoing) resources (2,224) Transfers between funds - Net movement in funds (2,224) Reconciliation of funds Total funds as at 01 April 2025 43,043 Total funds as at 31 March 2026 (7a) 40,819 Unrestricted |
12 Comparative income and expenditure by fund type 2026 £ Income from: Income from donations 14,798 Income from charitable activities 1,955 Other incoming resources 5,039 Bank interest - Total incoming resources 21,793 Expenditure on: Charitable activities 24,016 Net incoming / (outgoing) resources (2,224) Transfers between funds - Net movement in funds (2,224) Reconciliation of funds Total funds as at 01 April 2025 43,043 Total funds as at 31 March 2026 (7a) 40,819 Unrestricted |
12 Comparative income and expenditure by fund type 2026 £ Income from: Income from donations 14,798 Income from charitable activities 1,955 Other incoming resources 5,039 Bank interest - Total incoming resources 21,793 Expenditure on: Charitable activities 24,016 Net incoming / (outgoing) resources (2,224) Transfers between funds - Net movement in funds (2,224) Reconciliation of funds Total funds as at 01 April 2025 43,043 Total funds as at 31 March 2026 (7a) 40,819 Unrestricted |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income from: Income from donations Income from charitable activities Other incoming resources Bank interest Total incoming resources Expenditure on: Charitable activities Net incoming / (outgoing) resources Transfers between funds Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Total funds as at 01 April 2025 Total funds as at 31 March 2026 (7a) |
2026 £ 14,798 1,955 5,039 - 21,793 24,016 (2,224) - (2,224) 43,043 40,819 Unrestricted |
2025 £ 18,346 474 5,996 - 24,816 21,258 3,558 - 3,558 39,485 43,043 Funds |
2026 2025 £ £ 4,000 5,000 - - - - - - 4,000 5,000 4,000 5,000 - - - - - - - - - - Restricted Funds |
||
| 5,000 | |||||
| 5,000 | |||||
| - - |
|||||
| - - |
|||||
| - |
14