Report of the Trustees and
Financial Statements
For the period ended 31 August 2024
(Unaudited)
for
The Rock Academy Foundation
(A Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
Charity number: 1158478
Charity number: 1158478
The Rock Academy Foundation (A charitable incorporated organisation)
Contents of the Financial Statements
For the period ended 31 August 2024 (Unaudited)
| Contents | Page |
|---|---|
| Charity Information | 2 |
| Report of the Trustees | 3 to 5 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 6 |
| Balance sheet | 7 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 8 to 13 |
| Report of the Independent Examiner | 14 |
1
Charity number: 1158478
The Rock Academy Foundation (A charitable incorporated organisation)
Charity Information For the period ended 31 August 2024 (Unaudited)
Charity name:
The Rock Academy Foundation
Charity registration number:
1158478
Registered Office
99 Chapel Hill Tilehurst Reading Berkshire RG31 5BX
Trustees
William Lang (appointed 26 November 2020) Ian Stock (appointed 8 September 2014) Joseph Da Silva (appointed 29 March 2015) Nicholas Blake (appointed 6 July 2017) Richard Stainthorp (appointed 6 July 2017) Ann Murphy (appointed 29 July 2019) Thomas Wolfe-Collins (appointed 24 May 2021)
Independent Examiner
Gail Polkinghorne BA FCA
Bankers
HSBC
1-2 Market Place Wokingham Berkshire RG40 1AL
2
Charity number: 1158478
The Rock Academy Foundation
(A charitable incorporated organisation)
Report of the Trustees
For the period ended 31 August 2024 (Unaudited)
The Trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the period ended 31 August 2024.
The Trustees confirm that their report and the financial statements of the charity comply with current statutory requirements, the requirements of the charity's governing document, the provisions of the Charities Act 2011, and 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).
Reference and Administrative Information
The reference and administrative information is set out on page 2.
Structure, Governance and Management
Governing document
The organisation is a charitable incorporated organisation, registered as a charity on 8 September 2014. The charity was established under a constitution which details the objects and powers of the organisation and it is governed by the constitution.
Recruitment and appointment of trustees and directors
Under the requirements of the constitution, the Trustees must be appointed for a term of three years by a resolution passed at Trustee meetings. After three terms, Trustees may be re-appointed after an interval of one year.
Under the constitution, any person may stand for election as a Trustee unless that person has not attained the age of 16 and at least one of the existing trustees is aged 18 or over and has not been disqualified from acting as a trustee under S178-180 of the Charities Act 2011. A Trustee can only be appointed by resolution by all of the charity trustees.
Trustee Induction and training
New trustees are provided with a copy of the charity's constitution and latest annual report and statement of accounts. Trustees are appointed based on their skills, knowledge and experience that is considered to be appropriate for the charity's activities.
New trustees undergo briefings on the vision for the charity, its charitable objectives, current activities and priorities, and financial status and forecasts. They are provided with a copy of the Charity Commission, "The Essential Trustee" (CC3) document, and are required to sign our Code of Conduct. Trustees are supported by the Chair of Trustees on an ad-hoc needs basis for their role and responsibilities, introduced to all other trustees and committee members, and invited to all trustee meetings.
Trustees
Trustees who served during the period and up to the date of this report are set out below. William Lang (Chair)
Ian Stock Joseph Da Silva Nicholas Blake Richard Stainthorp Ann Murphy Thomas Wolfe-Collins
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Charity number: 1158478
The Rock Academy Foundation
(A charitable incorporated organisation)
Report of the Trustees - continued
For the period ended 31 August 2024 (Unaudited)
Objectives and Activities
Objectives
The charity's objectives are to help and educate young people, especially, but not exclusively, through musical activities, so as to develop their capabilities as members of society.
Activities
The core of our activity is centred around 3 main services - band experience, instrument lessons and music and related media enrichment sessions (including one to one mentoring).
Our band experience provides tuition for small groups of young people in the 10-18 age range. Each band is given a dedicated coach who uses a blend of structured exercises and creative techniques to teach song structure, practical theory and musical composition. Original compositions are strongly encouraged, and students are given the opportunity to perform at our end of term fundraising live events, helping provide targets to motivate them and develop their self-confidence.
We provide graded and non-graded group and individual instrument & singing lessons for students who want to improve their playing and their music theory as a standalone service or to supplement our other services.
In our music/media enrichment services, we deliver standard or custom developed music activities over and above a student's normal academic pursuits at school/college. These can include modern group and ensemble work, instrument lessons, technical workshops and live performances.
Volunteers
The charity has been supported by willing volunteers in meeting its objectives and administration activities of the charity and the trustees would like to take this opportunity to say how much they appreciate their continuing and valuable support. The trustees consider no reliable value can be placed on the cost of volunteers so have not included it within these accounts.
Achievements and Performance
We maintained a busy band experience programme, with new bands and some high-profile performances: examples being Hurst Country Fair and the Readipop Festival. There is growth potential in Autumn 2024, with 6 bands in spring 2025.
Forest School continues to show increased growth with numbers rising impressively despite students constantly moving on. This continues to form the majority of our school instrument tuition.
Our holiday activity engagement have continued in Whitley with our partnership with WCDA. We have continued our engagement in shorter term projects (from the Whitley Carnival in 2023 to the South Reading Community Centre project in early 2024-25).
New music tutors have been successfully recruited and fitted in well.
Our growth pipeline was strong at the end of 2023-24 (Berkshire Music Trust, Charles Kingsley and Denefield School all planned for autumn 2024).
We would like to take this opportunity to thank our Head of Academy, our music leaders, trustees, volunteers, donors, parents and students, who have all continued to make the Rock Academy Foundation a success during this year.
Public benefit
The charity's Trustees have complied with their duty to have due regard to the guidance on public benefit published by the Charity Commission in exercising their powers or duties. This guidance is contained in "Charities and Public Benefit" published by the Charity Commission.
4
Charity number: 1158478
The Rock Academy Foundation (A charitable incorporated organisation)
Report of the Trustees - continued
For the period ended 31 August 2024 (Unaudited)
Financial Review
Incoming resources for the period are £56,197 (2023: £38,244) and resources expended of £51,635 (2023: £37,427), leaving an overall surplus for the period of £4,562 (2023: surplus £817). Total reserves of £25,248 (2023: £20,686) include unrestricted reserves of £24,005 (2023: £17,952) and £1,243 (2023: £2,734) of restricted reserves.
Reserves Policy
The trustees have agreed to maintain sufficient reserves to cover one term (3-4 months) of fixed costs, currently estimated to be £5,000.
Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
The Trustees are required to prepare financial statements for each financial year that give a true and fair view of the financial activities of the charity and its financial position at the end of the period. In preparing those financial statements the Trustees are required to:
-
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
-
observe the methods and principles of 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: and
-
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The Trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken in order to make themselves aware of any information relevant to the independent examination and to ensure that the independent examiner is aware of all relevant information. As far as each Trustee is aware, there is no relevant information of which the charity's independent examiner is unaware.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Charities Act 2011. The Trustees 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.
This report was approved by the Trustees on 16 June 2025 and signed on its behalf.
ON BEHALF OF THE TRUSTEES:
W Lang
.................................................................
William Lang – Chair of Trustees
5
Charity number: 1158478
The Rock Academy Foundation (A charitable incorporated organisation)
Statement of Financial Activities (including Income and Expenditure Account) For the period ended 31 August 2024 (Unaudited)
| Notes INCOMING RESOURCES Income from: Charitable activities 2 Donations & other income 3 Total income RESOURCES EXPENDED Expenditure on: Charitable activities 4 Governance costs 5 Total expenditure Net movement in funds Total funds brought forward 15 Total transfers between reserves 15 Total funds carried forward |
2024 Unrestricted Funds £ 2024 Restricted Funds £ 2024 Total Funds £ 2023 Total Funds £ 53,127 - 53,127 34,988 1,810 1,260 3,070 3,256 |
|---|---|
| 54,937 1,260 56,197 38,244 |
|
| 48,384 2,751 51,135 36,927 500 - 500 500 |
|
| 48,884 2,751 51,635 37,427 |
|
| 6,053 (1,491) 4,562 817 17,952 2,734 20,686 19,869 - - - - |
|
| 24,005 1,243 25,248 20,686 |
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses for the period. All incoming resources and resources expended derive from continuing activities.
The notes form part of these financial statements
6
Charity number: 1158478
The Rock Academy Foundation (A charitable incorporated organisation)
Balance sheet As at 31 August 2024 (Unaudited)
| Notes FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets 11 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 12 Cash at bank Total current assets CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year 13 NET CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES FUNDS OF THE CHARITY Unrestricted funds 14 Restricted funds 14 TOTAL FUNDS |
2024 £ 2023 £ 5,150 2,393 4,558 1,841 17,804 21,452 |
|---|---|
| 22,362 23,293 (2,264) (5,000) |
|
| 20,098 18,293 |
|
| 25,248 20,686 |
|
| 24,005 17,952 1,243 2,734 |
|
| 25,248 20,686 |
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees on 16 June 2025 and were signed on their behalf by
W Lang
.................................................................
William Lang – Chair of Trustees
The notes form part of these financial statements
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Charity number: 1158478
The Rock Academy Foundation (A charitable incorporated organisation)
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the period ended 31 August 2024 (Unaudited)
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of accounting
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the 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 2016) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)) and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
The charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor or through the terms of an appeal.
Incoming resources
All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity is entitled to the income and the amounts have been received. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income:
-
Income for lessons, bank experiences, use of instruments, memberships, room hire and music enrichment are recognised when there is entitlement to receipt and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability.
-
Voluntary income, including donations and monies received from events is recognised where this is entitlement to receipt and this amount can be measured with sufficient reliability.
-
Donated services are recognised as income where quantifiable and measurable at market value. Volunteers and other donated services which are not quantifiable and measurable are not included within these accounts.
Resources expended
Expenditure is recognised on an accrual basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT and is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates:
-
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
-
Governance costs include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional requirements of the charity and include the independent examiner’s fees and costs linked to the strategic management of the charity.
Financial instruments
The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and are subsequently measured at their settlement value.
Tangible fixed assets
Tangible assets are reflected at cost less accumulated depreciation. Cost includes the purchase price and expenses directly incurred in bringing the asset to the condition and location for intended use. Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.
Equipment - Between 3 years and 10 years on a straight line basis.
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Charity number: 1158478
The Rock Academy Foundation (A charitable incorporated organisation)
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued For the period ended 31 August 2024 (Unaudited)
| 2. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES Lessons, fees and membership 3. DONATIONS & OTHER INCOME Donations / Grants Donated services Total donations & other income 4. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS Coach and tutor costs Room hire General expenses Telephone & IT Equipment – non capital Bad debts Wages and salaries Bank charges Depreciation Marketing Total charitable activities |
2024 Unrestricted Funds £ 2024 Restricted Funds £ 2024 Total Funds £ 2023 Total Funds £ 53,127 - 53,127 34,988 |
|---|---|
| 2024 Unrestricted Funds £ 2024 Restricted Funds £ 2024 Total Funds £ 2023 Total Funds £ 1,310 1,260 2,570 2,756 500 - 500 500 |
|
| 1,810 1,260 3,070 3,256 |
|
| 2024 Unrestricted Funds £ 2024 Restricted Funds £ 2024 Total Funds £ 2023 Total Funds £ 42,225 2,751 44,976 32,078 3,162 - 3,162 2,926 649 - 649 544 90 - 90 90 192 - 192 162 196 - 196 255 - - - - 66 - 66 72 1,689 - 1,689 760 115 - 115 41 |
|
| 48,384 2,751 51,135 36,927 |
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Charity number: 1158478
The Rock Academy Foundation (A charitable incorporated organisation)
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued For the period ended 31 August 2024 (Unaudited)
| 5. GOVERNANCE COSTS Independent examiner fees 6. NET INCOMING RESOURCES FOR THE YEAR This is stated after charging: Independent examiner fees Depreciation – owned assets |
2024 £ 2023 £ 500 500 |
|---|---|
| 2024 £ 2023 £ 500 500 |
|
| 1,688 760 |
7. TRUSTEES’ REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the period ended 31 August 2024.
Trustees' Expenses
There were no trustees’ expenses paid for the period ended 31 August 2024.
8. STAFF COSTS
| Salaries and wages Social security |
2024 £ 2023 £ - - - - |
|---|---|
| - - |
The average number of employees during the period, calculated on the basis of full time equivalents, was as follows:
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Administrative staff | - | - |
9. TAXATION
The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within S505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or S252 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to charitable objects. No UK corporation tax charges have arisen in the charity for the period ended 31 August 2024 due to the charity's charitable status.
10
Charity number: 1158478
The Rock Academy Foundation (A charitable incorporated organisation)
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued For the period ended 31 August 2024 (Unaudited)
10. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
During the period, the following payments were made to a related party of a trustee in connection with their role as band experience coach and as a music teacher There were no amounts written off during the period or provided against at the period end.
| Year ended 31 August 2024 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name of related party Relationship to charity |
Description of transaction | Amount £ | Balance at period end £ |
| Greg Dopson Spouse of Trustee |
Band experience coaching & mentoring and purchase of new capital assets |
18,179 | - |
| Year ended 31 August 2023 | |||
| Name of related party Relationship to charity |
Description of transaction | Amount £ | Balance at period end £ |
| Greg Dopson Spouse of Trustee |
Band experience coaching and mentoring |
13,929 | 864 |
| 1. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS | |||
| EQUIPMENT £ |
TOTAL £ |
||
| COST | |||
| As at 1 September 2023 | 5,205 | 5,205 | |
| Additions | 4,446 | 4,446 | |
| As at 31 August 2024 | 9,651 | 9,651 | |
| DEPRECIATION | |||
| As at 1 September 2023 | 2,812 | 2,812 | |
| Charge for year | 1,689 | 1,689 | |
| As at 31 August 2024 | 4,501 | 4,501 | |
| NET BOOK VALUE | |||
| As at 31 August 2024 | 5,150 | 5,150 | |
| As at 31 August 2023 | 2,393 | 2,393 |
11. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
11
Charity number: 1158478
The Rock Academy Foundation (A charitable incorporated organisation)
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued For the period ended 31 August 2024 (Unaudited)
| 12. DEBTORS 2024 £ 2023 £ Trade debtors 4,558 1,841 13. CREDITORS 2024 £ 2023 £ Trade creditors 2,116 2,250 Accrued expenses 148 1,250 Deferred income - 1,500 2,264 5,000 14. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN RESERVES 2024 Unrestricted Funds £ 2024 Restricted Funds £ 2024 Total Funds £ 2023 Total Funds £ Tangible Fixed Assets 5,150 - 5,150 2,393 Current Assets 21,119 1,243 22,362 23,293 Current Liabilities (2,264) - (2,264) (5,000) Total funds 24,005 1,243 25,248 20,686 15. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS As at 1 September 2023 £ Incoming Resources £ Outgoing Resources £ Transfers £ As at 31 August 2024 £ Unrestricted funds 17,952 54,937 (48,884) - 24,005 Restricted funds 2,734 1,260 (2,751) - 1,243 Total funds 20,686 56,197 (51,635) - 25,248 |
12. DEBTORS 2024 £ 2023 £ Trade debtors 4,558 1,841 13. CREDITORS 2024 £ 2023 £ Trade creditors 2,116 2,250 Accrued expenses 148 1,250 Deferred income - 1,500 2,264 5,000 14. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN RESERVES 2024 Unrestricted Funds £ 2024 Restricted Funds £ 2024 Total Funds £ 2023 Total Funds £ Tangible Fixed Assets 5,150 - 5,150 2,393 Current Assets 21,119 1,243 22,362 23,293 Current Liabilities (2,264) - (2,264) (5,000) Total funds 24,005 1,243 25,248 20,686 15. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS As at 1 September 2023 £ Incoming Resources £ Outgoing Resources £ Transfers £ As at 31 August 2024 £ Unrestricted funds 17,952 54,937 (48,884) - 24,005 Restricted funds 2,734 1,260 (2,751) - 1,243 Total funds 20,686 56,197 (51,635) - 25,248 |
12. DEBTORS 2024 £ 2023 £ Trade debtors 4,558 1,841 13. CREDITORS 2024 £ 2023 £ Trade creditors 2,116 2,250 Accrued expenses 148 1,250 Deferred income - 1,500 2,264 5,000 14. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN RESERVES 2024 Unrestricted Funds £ 2024 Restricted Funds £ 2024 Total Funds £ 2023 Total Funds £ Tangible Fixed Assets 5,150 - 5,150 2,393 Current Assets 21,119 1,243 22,362 23,293 Current Liabilities (2,264) - (2,264) (5,000) Total funds 24,005 1,243 25,248 20,686 15. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS As at 1 September 2023 £ Incoming Resources £ Outgoing Resources £ Transfers £ As at 31 August 2024 £ Unrestricted funds 17,952 54,937 (48,884) - 24,005 Restricted funds 2,734 1,260 (2,751) - 1,243 Total funds 20,686 56,197 (51,635) - 25,248 |
|---|---|---|
| 24,005 1,243 25,248 20,686 |
||
Incoming Resources £ Outgoing Resources £ Transfers £ As at 31 August 2024 £ 54,937 (48,884) - 24,005 1,260 (2,751) - 1,243 |
||
| 20,686 | 56,197 (51,635) - 25,248 |
12
Charity number: 1158478
The Rock Academy Foundation (A charitable incorporated organisation)
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued For the period ended 31 August 2024 (Unaudited)
16. RESTRICTED FUNDS
| 16. RESTRICTED FUNDS | |
|---|---|
| Music Equipment fund Bursary / Scholarships Grants Creative Lives Heavy Weather DropZone Total funds |
As at 1 September 2023 £ Incoming Resources £ Outgoing Resources £ Transfers £ As at 31 August 2024 £ 500 - (17) - 483 145 - (145) - - 2,089 - (2,089) - - - 500 (500) - - - 550 - - 550 - 210 - - 210 |
| 2,734 1,260 (2,751) - 1,243 |
Restricted reserves
Restricted reserves comprise those funds which have been given for specific purposes and projects. These are as follows:
-
Music Equipment Fund - this fund was generated through donations received and is to be used specifically for the purpose of the purchase of musical equipment.
-
Bursary/Scholarship Fund - this fund was generated through various donations and is to be used to assist individuals with funding for musical lessons, instruments and experiences. This has been expended in the year ended 31 August 2024.
-
Grants – this fund consists of a grant awarded by one of the trustees to be used to assist individuals with funding for musical lessons, instruments and experiences. This has been expended in the year ended 31 August 2024.
-
Heavy Weather / DropZone - these are gig proceed donations from 2 Reading based bands, whose members consist of some of the music leaders working for the charity. The donations are to be used for band experience scholarships.
-
Creative Lives – this was awarded to fund some of our half term holiday activities in Whitley and was used accordingly in the year ended 31 August 2024.
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Charity number: 1158478
The Rock Academy Foundation
(A charitable incorporated organisation)
Report of the Independent Examiner to the Trustees of The Rock Academy Foundation
I report on the accounts of the charity for the period ended 31 August 2024, which are set out on pages 6 to 13.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The trustees 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 as the charity’s gross income did not exceed £250,000.
Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to an audit and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:
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examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
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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
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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 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:
-
which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
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to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records, comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act and with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities
have not been met; or
- to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
A G Polkinghorne
Gail Polkinghorne
(Address available on signed version)
Date: 16 June 2025
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