**REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1162999**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT AND**
**UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025**
## **FOR**
## **LEEDS PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY CIO**
UHY BPR Heaton Chartered Accountants Glenewes House Gate Way Drive Leeds West Yorkshire LS19 7XY
**LEEDS PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY CIO**
## **CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025**
||**Page**|
|---|---|
|**Reference and Administrative Details**|1|
|**Trustees' Report**|2 to 4|
|**Independent Examiner's Report**|5|
|**Statement of Financial Activities**|6|
|**Balance Sheet**|7|
|**Notes to the Financial Statements**|8 to 12|
|**Detailed Statement of Financial Activities**|13 to 14|
**LEEDS PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY CIO**
## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025**
We have removed the Phrase Trustee without Portfolio as part of the Organisations Review
## **TRUSTEES**
Ruth Shann Chair Philip Ratcliffe Hon. Secretary Andrew Straton Hon.Treasurer David Lunn Hon. Concert Manager Penny Dean Hon. Marketing Manager (Lead)) Anne Prinn Hon. Librarian Lewis Hemingway Hon. Marketing Manager Maggie Sheen Karin Houkes Lilly Baars Pollyanna Pierpoint Angus Williams (to September 2025) Max Davidson-Smith (from September 2025) **NON TRUSTEE MANAGERS** Jack Parkes Hon. Membership Manager David Jackson Hon. Music Programme Manager Angus Williams (from September 2025)
## **PRINCIPAL ADDRESS**
7 West Royd Villas King Cross Halifax HX1 3LS
**REGISTERED CHARITY** 1162999 **NUMBER**
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER**
UHY BPR Heaton Chartered Accountants Glenewes House Gate Way Drive Leeds West Yorkshire LS19 7XY
Page 1
## **LEEDS PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY CIO**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025**
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 July 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of 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) (effective 1 January 2019).
## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES**
With the continuing closure of Leeds Town Hall, the Society continued to perform in alternative venues. In particular, St Edmund's Church in Roundhay has become our new preferred performance space. Other performances were given in "The Venue" at Leeds Conservatoire, The Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham and Symphony Hall, Birmingham.
For the second year in a row the Chorus was delighted to be invited to take part in performances of the John Williams score of "Home Alone" being shown with live orchestra on big screens in both Nottingham and Birmingham. This took the name of the Society to a much wider audience in un-familiar venues.
The Society used St Edmund's Church in Roundhay Leeds twice during the year which was a great success in terms of audience attendance and is likely to continue to be a venue for concerts in future even after the Town Hall has reopened. The performance conducted by our Music Director, David Hill, of the Howard Goodall, "Eternal Light - a requiem" paired with arrangements of spirituals "Feel the Spirit" by John Rutter was a great success. A profoundly moving performance of J.S.Bach "St John Passion" affected many of those present with its beautiful and dramatic telling of the story of the Passion of Christ. The performance of the Will Todd "Mass in Blue" brought together jazz players from the Conservatoire with the chorus to deliver a very successful concert given in "The Venue" at the Conservatoire. The Chorus welcomed Will Todd again at the end of the Season to lead a singing day focussed around his "Mass in Blue" and other works. This attracted many people from outside the Society and also lead to an increase in Membership.
This year was the first when we were based at the Leeds Conservatoire. We are very pleased with the collaboration that has been achieved with the Conservatoire and are delighted that students are also joining the chorus as part of the musical education.
The Membership of the Society grew during the year to 118.
Page 2
## **LEEDS PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY CIO**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025**
## **FINANCIAL REVIEW**
## **Financial position**
During the 2024 - 2025 season we performed in seven concerts. We were paid a performance fee for the two "Home Alone" performances but all our own promotions made a loss.
Our investment interest received has increased because of the legacies we received last year.
There has been an increase in membership subscriptions, both of which have helped to keep our overall losses to a reasonable amount.
At the end of the financial year our reserves had decreased by approximately £2,500.
|Concert
Number|1|2|3|4|5|6|7|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Concert Date|16-Nov-24|19-Dec-24|Dec-24|15-Mar-25|10-May-25|07-Jun-25|21-Jun-25|
|Venue|St
Edmunds
Church|Leeds Minster|Birmingham/
Nottingham|St Edmund's
Church|Leeds
Minster|Leeds
Conservatoire|St George's
Church|
|Works
Performed|Goodall/
Rutter|LMCC|Home alone|Bach St John's
Passion|VE/VJ
concert|Todd - Mass
in Blue|Come and Sing
Day|
|Total Income|£3,534.22|£500.00|£2,500.00|£3,665.00|£0.00|£0.00|£1,640.00|
|Total
Expenditure|£5,555.43|£937.38|£0.00|£9,697.38|£0.00|£1,698.24|£3,885.39|
|Surplus
(Deficit)|(£2,021.21)|(£437.38)|£2,500.00|(£6,032.38)|£0.00|(£1,698.24)|(£2,245.39)|
## **Investment policy**
There are no restrictions on the Trustees' powers of investment, but the investment is governed by the rules of the Trustees Act 2000 as established by the CIO constitution. Trustees have taken advantage of better interest rates by investing in a one-year bond with the United Trust Bank and one-year bonds with the Redwood Bank. We also continue to hold funds within the Monmouthshire Building Society at a fair rate of interest. The Trustees continue to look for a good return on invested monies and plan to invest in new bonds next year after the maturation of the current bonds.
## **Reserves**
At the end of the year, our unrestricted funds have decreased to £178,046 (2024 - £180,596) and restricted funds remain at £3,686 giving total funds carried forward of £181,732 (2024 - £184,282).
Amounts in unrestricted reserves of the Society represent monies available for the achievement of the charitable objectives of the Society.
Restricted reserves relate to:
- The Mrs T Cooke prize fund which supports individual vocal training for members of the chorus
- The Tour Fund is in respect of monies relating to Choir Tours
- The Leeds Philharmonic School Singing Competition
## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT**
## **Governing document**
The charity is controlled by its governing document and is a Registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO).
Page 3
## **LEEDS PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY CIO**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025**
## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT**
## **Organisational review**
The Organisational Review is continuing under the guidance of the current Chair Ruth Shann, and further ways in which the Committee would deal with Governance Matters as distinct from Service delivery Management are being developed. In particular, the consideration of Governance and compliance issues separate from day-to-day managements matters has been beneficial and has streamlined Board meetings.
In terms of Governance, we are pleased to confirm that there no issues arising relating to compliance with the Constitution, Data Protection, or Safeguarding identified during the year.
As the restructuring work continues it is likely that there will be a need to engage with the members of the society to ensure the direction of travel is fully supported by members and that they can also help to steer and shape the path ahead.
As previously, all Trustees and Service Manager are confirmed in their roles by the Membership at the AGM, although the Board can, as necessary appoint replacement Trustees without reference to the membership.
## **Risk management**
The trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error.
A review of Safeguarding Policy was completed during the year, with a small number of changes reflecting the latest regulatory framework and experience.
Whilst Covid has not gone away and it still impacts upon member's health from time to time, the regulatory framework has changed significantly, with individuals, rather than organisations being responsible. Trustees continue to advise Members to follow the national guidance to reduce risk to others.
The ongoing restructuring of the management of the Society continued during the Season, with decisions regarding the role of Service Managers, no longer needing to be a Trustee. This encouraged additional Members to consider helping to manage the Society, rather than being put-off by the formal role as a Trustee. The management of the Society continued to evolve with emphasis on Governance on a quarterly basis, which allowed more streamlined Board Meetings. There have not been any issues arising, during the year relating to, Governance matters which would have meant intervention to ensure compliance with the Constitution of the Society.
Approved by order of the board of trustees on ............................................. and signed on its behalf by:
................................................................. P Ratcliffe - Trustee
Page 4
**INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF LEEDS PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY CIO**
## **Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Leeds Philharmonic Society CIO**
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Leeds Philharmonic Society CIO (the Trust) for the year ended 31 July 2025.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under Section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
## **Independent examiner's statement**
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by Section 130 of the Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Mark Andrews ACA FCCA CTA
UHY BPR Heaton Chartered Accountants Glenewes House Gate Way Drive Leeds West Yorkshire LS19 7XY
Date: .............................................
Page 5
**LEEDS PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY CIO**
## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025**
|Unrestricted
fund
Notes
£
**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM**
Donations and legacies
2
27,547
**Charitable activities**
Concerts
10,199
Other trading activities
3
4,844
Investment income
4
6,338
**Total**
48,928
**EXPENDITURE ON**
Raising funds
656
**Charitable activities**
Concerts
17,576
Other Costs
28,012
Support costs
2,784
Governance costs
2,450
**Total**
51,478
**NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)**
(2,550)
**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS**
Total funds brought forward
180,596
**TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**
178,046|Restricted
funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
3,686
3,686|2025
Total
funds
£
27,547
10,199
4,844
6,338
48,928
656
17,576
28,012
2,784
2,450
51,478
(2,550)
184,282
181,732|2024
Total
funds
£
52,564
7,423
7,577
4,204|
|---|---|---|---|
||||71,768|
||||2,195
18,802
28,295
2,609
2,400|
||||54,301|
||||17,467
166,815|
||||184,282|
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 6
## **LEEDS PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY CIO**
## **BALANCE SHEET 31 JULY 2025**
|Unrestricted
fund
Notes
£
**CURRENT ASSETS**
Debtors
7
8,587
Cash at bank and in hand
171,909
180,496
**CREDITORS**
Amounts falling due within one year
8
(2,450)
**NET CURRENT ASSETS**
178,046
**TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT**
**LIABILITIES**
178,046
**NET ASSETS**
178,046
**FUNDS**
9
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
**TOTAL FUNDS**|Restricted
funds
£
-
3,686
3,686
-
3,686
3,686
3,686|2025
Total
funds
£
8,587
175,595
184,182
(2,450)
181,732
181,732
181,732
178,046
3,686
181,732|2024
Total
funds
£
7,221
180,163
187,384
(3,102)
184,282
184,282
184,282
180,596
3,686
184,282|
|---|---|---|---|
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on ............................................. and were signed on its behalf by:
............................................. A Straton - Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 7
**LEEDS PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY CIO**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025**
## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES**
## **Basis of preparing the financial statements**
The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) '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) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
The financial statements are presented in sterling which is the functional currency of the charity rounded to the nearest pound.
## **Income**
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
## **Expenditure**
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
## **Taxation**
The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.
## **Fund accounting**
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
## **2. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES**
|Donations
Gift aid
Legacies
Grants
Subscriptions|2025
£
36
4,653
500
200
22,158
27,547|2024
£
107
4,421
27,397
200
20,439|
|---|---|---|
|||52,564|
Page 8
continued...
**LEEDS PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY CIO**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025**
## **3. OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES**
|Raffles
100 club
Friends of the Phil
One off projects
Tour fund
Dresses, sweatshirts, polo shirts and choir folders
Music sales, music hire
Come and sing day
**INVESTMENT INCOME**
Deposit account interest|2025
£
828
1,366
735
240
-
-
35
1,640
4,844
2025
£
6,338|2024
£
841
2,629
820
1,392
1,805
90
-
-|
|---|---|---|
|||7,577|
|||2024
£
4,204|
## **4. INVESTMENT INCOME**
## **5. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS**
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 July 2025 nor for the year ended 31 July 2024.
## **Trustees' expenses**
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 July 2025 nor for the year ended 31 July 2024.
## **6. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES**
|Unrestricted
fund
£
**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM**
Donations and legacies
52,563
**Charitable activities**
Concerts
7,423
Other trading activities
5,772
Investment income
4,204
**Total**
69,962
**EXPENDITURE ON**
Raising funds
2,195
**Charitable activities**
Concerts
16,757
Other Costs
28,295
Support costs
2,609
Governance costs
2,400
**Total**
52,256|Restricted
funds
£
1
-
1,805
-
1,806
-
2,045
-
-
-
2,045|Total
funds
£
52,564
7,423
7,577
4,204|
|---|---|---|
|||71,768|
|||2,195
18,802
28,295
2,609
2,400|
|||54,301|
Page 9
continued...
## **LEEDS PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY CIO**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025**
|**6.**|**COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued**|**COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued**|**COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued**|**COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued**||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||Unrestricted||Restricted|Total|
||||fund|funds|funds|
||||£|£|£|
||**NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)**||17,706|(239)|17,467|
||**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS**|||||
||Total funds brought forward|162,890||3,925|166,815|
||**TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**|180,596||3,686|184,282|
|**7.**|**DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**|||||
|||||2025|2024|
|||||£|£|
||Prepayments|||8,587|7,221|
|**8.**|**CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**|||||
|||||2025|2024|
|||||£|£|
||Other creditors|||2,450|3,102|
|**9.**|**MOVEMENT IN FUNDS**|||||
|||||Net||
|||||movement|At|
|||At|1/8/24|in funds|31/7/25|
||||£|£|£|
||**Unrestricted funds**|||||
||General fund|180,596||(2,550)|178,046|
||**Restricted funds**|||||
||Mrs T Cook Prize||789|-|789|
||Tour Fund||1,072|-|1,072|
||School Singing Competition||1,825|-|1,825|
||||3,686|-|3,686|
||**TOTAL FUNDS**|184,282||(2,550)|181,732|
||Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:|||||
|||Incoming||Resources|Movement|
|||resources||expended|in funds|
||||£|£|£|
||**Unrestricted funds**|||||
||General fund|48,928||(51,478)|(2,550)|
||**TOTAL FUNDS**|48,928||(51,478)|(2,550)|
Page 10
continued...
**LEEDS PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY CIO**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025**
## **9. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued**
## **Comparatives for movement in funds**
|At 1/8/23
£
**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
162,890
**Restricted funds**
Mrs T Cook Prize
789
Tour Fund
1,311
School Singing Competition
1,825
3,925
**TOTAL FUNDS**
166,815
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
Incoming
resources
£
**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
69,962
**Restricted funds**
Tour Fund
1,806
**TOTAL FUNDS**
71,768|Net
movement
At
in funds
31/7/24
£
£
17,706
180,596
-
789
(239)
1,072
-
1,825
(239)
3,686
17,467
184,282
Resources
Movement
expended
in funds
£
£
(52,256)
17,706
(2,045)
(239)
(54,301)
17,467|
|---|---|
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:
|**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
**Restricted funds**
Mrs T Cook Prize
Tour Fund
School Singing Competition
**TOTAL FUNDS**|At 1/8/23
£
162,890
789
1,311
1,825
3,925
166,815|Net
movement
in funds
£
15,156
-
(239)
-
(239)
14,917|At
31/7/25
£
178,046
789
1,072
1,825|
|---|---|---|---|
||||3,686|
||||181,732|
Page 11
continued...
**LEEDS PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY CIO**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025**
## **9. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued**
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
||Incoming|Resources|Movement|
|---|---|---|---|
||resources|expended|in funds|
||£|£|£|
|**Unrestricted funds**||||
|General fund|118,890|(103,734)|15,156|
|**Restricted funds**||||
|Tour Fund|1,806|(2,045)|(239)|
|**TOTAL FUNDS**|120,696|(105,779)|14,917|
## **10. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES**
There were no related party transactions during the year ended 31 July 2025..
Page 12
**LEEDS PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY CIO**
## **DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025**
|**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS**
**Donations and legacies**
Donations
Gift aid
Legacies
Grants
Subscriptions
**Other trading activities**
Raffles
100 club
Friends of the Phil
One off projects
Tour fund
Dresses, sweatshirts, polo shirts and choir
folders
Music sales, music hire
Come and sing day
**Investment income**
Deposit account interest
**Charitable activities**
Concert income
**Total incoming resources**
**EXPENDITURE**
**Raising donations and legacies**
100 club
**Charitable activities**
Postage and stationery
Subscriptions and insurance
Artistic costs
Tour
Hall hire
Miscellaneous concert expenditure
Chorus master and accompanist
Music director
Hire of rehearsal rooms
Advertising, marketing and sundry costs
Fundraising
Carried forward|2025
£
36
4,653
500
200
22,158
27,547
828
1,366
735
240
-
-
35
1,640
4,844
6,338
10,199
48,928
656
196
609
11,597
-
550
2,392
15,889
605
5,801
3,746
-
41,385|2024
£
107
4,421
27,397
200
20,439|
|---|---|---|
|||52,564
841
2,629
820
1,392
1,805
90
-
-|
|||7,577
4,204
7,423|
|||71,768
2,195
20
548
7,898
2,045
570
11,903
13,953
1,200
2,252
1,263
284
41,936|
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
Page 13
## **LEEDS PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY CIO**
|**DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES**
**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025**
**Charitable activities**
Brought forward
Gifts and commissions
Storage unit
Come and sing day
**Support costs**
**Finance**
Bank charges
**Governance costs**
Independent examiners fee
Accountancy fees
Trustees meeting room hire
Total resources expended
**Net (expenditure)/income**|2025
£
41,385
-
2,719
4,091
48,195
112
1,225
1,225
65
2,515
51,478
(2,550)|2024
£
41,936
5,046
2,458
-|
|---|---|---|
|||49,440
115
1,200
1,200
151|
|||2,551|
|||54,301|
|||17,467|
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
Page 14
# **Leeds Philharmonic Society (CIO) Charity No: 1162999**
# **REPORT FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR and SEASON 2024/25 and a REVIEW FOR 2025/26**
# **Presented to the Annual General Meeting of the Society**
# **Thursday 14[th] MAY 2026**
This Report sets out the Trustees Review of the Season 2024/25 for which the Financial Accounts are presented at the Annual General Meeting on 14[th] May 2026 and provides an overview of the work undertaken by Trustees during the year from May 2025 to May 2026.
## **PART ONE:**
## **REPORT FOR THE SEASON 2024/25**
This was the first full year that we made use of the Leeds Conservatoire as our rehearsal base following the discussions with the faculty staff at the Conservatoire. Formal contractual agreement were put in place during the year.
Overall, the season’s music making was at a high level and included new works and familiar staples of the choral repertoire. The development of the collaborations with the Leeds Conservatoire helped to support and develop the Society’s charitable objects.
The ongoing closure of Leeds Town Hall which for 150 years has been the main performance venue for the Society and its Chorus and the lack of Leeds International Concert Season (LICS) delivery of large scale orchestral works certainly means that there are significant challenges in delivering concerts. Works using smaller forces, from organ and pianos to chamber orchestra and brass band have been programmed as a result.
Our autumn concert in November 2024 was given in St Edmund’s Church, Roundhay, and was performances of Howard Goodall’s, “Eternal Light – A Requiem” and John Rutter’s “Feel the Spirit”. This concert was conducted by our Music Director David Hill and was well received by the large
audience. In light of the success of this concert, David Hill proposed that the venue should be used to perform the Verdi “Requiem” in the transcription for two pianos, organ and percussion which he had commissioned from Richard Blackford. This proposal was followed through and is to be the last concert in the Season 2025/26.
Following the success of the “Home Alone” during the previous season, the Chorus was approached by Opera North to deliver 5 (five) performances of “Home Alone” across Yorkshire. In the end these did not go ahead, but performances in the Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham (with the International Film Orchestra conducted by Michael Hopkins and in Symphony Hall, Birmingham (with the Orchestra of Opera North conducted by George Morton) did take place. These were again highly enjoyable events, but the smaller numbers able to attend in Brimingham did place additional stress on those who were performing.
The annual performances at the Lord Mayor’s Carols are a great and ongoing part of the Phil’s music making in the city. The Minster was full for both performances and they always make a great start to Christmas for many people.
The spring concert was a performance of J.S. Bach “St John Passion” (sung in German), accompanied by the Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra, 6 great soloists and conducted by our Chorus Master, Joseph Judge. The drama of the passion as set by Bach in this version was well caught and delivered under Joe’s keen and precise direction.
In Spring 2025, the 80th Anniversary of the end of the War in Europe was marked by the City, which asked the Chorus to participate in the celebratory/commemorative concert. The Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire was in attendance representing HM The King, which made this performance very special, and brought the sound of the Leeds Phil to a very different audience.
Our summer concert for 2025 was our first real collaboration with the Leeds Conservatoire. The performance of Will Todd’s “Mass in Blue” coupled with the “Songs of Love” was given in The Venue, the Leeds Conservatoire concert hall. A jazz trio of students from the Conservatoire (together with a pianist) provided the musical accompaniment to the blues setting of the Mass, which was very well received by the audience. A workshop with Will Todd focussing on the Mass had been held in the Conservatoire a few weeks before the concert, which allowed the composer to put forward his suggestions and expanded the knowledge of the chorus about the work, further enhancing the educational objects of the Society.
In June 2025, Will Todd came to deliver a “Singing Day” focussing on the “Mass in Blue” and other works that he had composed. This singing day was open to all and attracted a large following. A number of attendees have since become Members of the Society as a result of this outreach and the success of the event.
Overall, on the artistic front, the continued improvement of the Chorus through the hard work of Joesph Judge and Russell Medley has been very rewarding and the Society can look forward to the future with artistic optimism.
## **ORGANISATIONAL REVIEW**
Trustees have been aware for some time that whilst Members of the Society are really supportive and keen to be involved in specific projects and tasks the role of “Trustee and Manager” is far less attractive. During 2023/24 Trustees explored ways in which the governance of the Charity that is the Leeds Philharmonic Society (CIO) may be undertaken whilst also managing the day-to-day affairs of the chorus. Board meetings occasionally get bogged down in the minutiae of day-to-day activities rather than considering the overall strategic direction and overall Governance.
The way in which Trustees decided to manage this was to break the link between being a Trustee and delivering a particular service. The Constitution does not specify that Service Managers should be Trustees. This approach has not put members off from standing as Trustees and we have attracted three young Members, (Max Davidson-Smith, Lilly Baars and Pollyanna Pierpoint to the Board as Trustees
The Organisational Review is continuing under the guidance of the current Chair Ruth Shann, and further ways in which the Committee would deal with Governance Matters as distinct from Management are being developed. In particular, the separation between Governance and day-to-day matters has been beneficial and has streamlined Board meetings.
In terms of Governance, we are pleased to confirm that there were no issues arising relating to compliance with the Constitution, Data Protection, or Safeguarding identified during the year.
Further work is needed to engage with the members of the society to ensure the direction of travel is fully supported by members and that they can also help to steer and shape the path ahead and this will be priority for the coming year.
As previously all Trustees and Service Manager are confirmed in their roles by the Membership at the AGM.
Trustees have streamlined the work of the Board and tried to ensure board meeting are succinct and
2
deal with matters that need decisions rather than just lengthy discussions. Further work is needed to engage with the members of the society to ensure the direction of travel is fully supported by members and that they can also help to steer and shape the path ahead.
## **SIMON LINDLEY**
Simon Lindley, who had been a former Chorus Master, Vice President and a Trustee of the Society, died in February 2025. The Society was represented at his funeral and many members took part in a celebratory concert held in Leeds Minster in September 2025. His influence an the musical side of the Society was immense and his knowledge, and expertise are greatly missed.
## **MEMBERSHIP – 2024/25**
At the heart of the Society is the Membership. Membership increased during 2024/25 and has risen significantly again during 2025/26 as can be seen below.
|**VOICE**|**May**
**2023**|**May**
**2024**|**May**
**2025**|**May**
**2026**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|Soprano 1|13|40|44|24|
|Soprano 2|20|||25|
|Alto 1|23|35|35|21|
|Alto 2|14|||19|
|Tenor 1|7|14|13|10|
|Tenor 2|7|||6|
|Bass 1|14|23|22|15|
|Bass 2|8|||13|
|**TOTAL**|**106**|**112**|**118**|**133**|
This increase is encouraging, but there is need to attract more Tenors and Basses. The Chorus is singing well together and both the Chorus Master and Music Director have been complimentary over the standard of performances.
## **FINANCES**
The full details of the Financial Accounts are to be found in the Unaudited Financial Statements prepared by the Treasurer and UHY BPR
Accountants. However some elements are contained within this statement for information.
## **RESULTS FOR SPECIFIC CONCERTS**
Other than the costs associated with rehearsals, concerts are the main outgoing for the Society. Information is provided to inform Members of the importance of achieving good audiences and supporting income generation. It is notable that only our participation in the Home Alone performances achieved a surplus. Other concerts contributed significant losses totalling £9,552.10, which was less than the previous year.
|**RUTTER-GOODALL**|**RUTTER-GOODALL**|
|---|---|
|EXPENDITURE|£5,555.43|
|INCOME|£3,534.22|
|Balance|**-£2,021.21**|
|**LORD MAYOR’S CAROLS Leeds Minster**||
|EXPENDITURE|£937.38|
|INCOME|£500.00|
|Balance|**-£437.38**|
|**HOME ALONE PERFORMANCES**||
|EXPENDITURE|£0.00|
|INCOME|£2,500.00|
|Balance|**£2,500.00**|
|**BACH: St John Passion **||
|EXPENDITURE|£9,697.38|
|INCOME|£3,665.00|
|Balance|**-£6,032.38**|
|**Leeds VE Day Celebrations**||
|EXPENDITURE|£822.50|
|INCOME|£0.00|
|Balance|**-£822.50**|
|**Will Todd: Mass in Blue**||
|EXPENDITURE|£1,698.24|
|INCOME|£0.00|
|Balance|**-£1,698.24**|
|**Will Todd Singing Day**||
|EXPENDITURE|£3,885.39|
|INCOME|£2,843.00|
|Balance|**-£1,040.39**|
|**OVERALL CONCERT FINANCES**||
|EXPENDITURE|£22,596.32|
|INCOME|£13,044.22|
Balance
**- £9,552.10**
## **CONCERTS GIVEN DURING SEASON 2024/25**
**SATURDAY 16[th] November 2024: St Edmund’s Church Roundhay, Leeds Howard GOODALL : Eternal Light – A Requiem John RUTTER : Feel the Spirit Leeds Philharmonic Chorus (100 Singers) David Hill – Conductor Soprano – Juliet Montgomery Mezzo Soprano - Merel Magali Cox Baritone – Peter Brooks Piano – Will Campbell Organ – Ed Jones Harp – Sarah Paterson SUNDAY 8[th] December 2024: Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham Home Alone (John Williams Score) Matthew Hopkins - Conductor International Film Orchestra Leeds Philharmonic Chorus Nottingham Trent University Choir (Promoted by Jenmat Productions) MONDAY 9[th] December 2024: Symphony Hall,, Birmingham Home Alone (John Williams Score) George Morton – Conductor Orchestra of Opera North Leeds Philharmonic Chorus (Promoted by ESK Film) Thursday 1[th] December 2024: Leeds Minster Lord Mayor’s Carols (two performances) Leeds Philharmonic Chorus (98 Singers) Joseph Judge and Darius Battiwalla - Conductors Alexander Woodrow – Organ Rothwell Temperance Band Saturday 15[th] March 2025: St Edmund’s Church Roundhay, Leeds J.S. BACH: St John Passion (sung in German) Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra Leeds Philharmonic Chorus (102 Singers)**
4
## **CONCERTS GIVEN DURING SEASON 2024/25**
**Joseph Judge – Conductor William Balkwill – Evangelist Jonny Hill – Christus Isal MacEwan – Soprano Julianne Coates – Mezzo Soprano Henry Strutt – Tenor James Berry – Bass Alan Horsey – Chamber Organ**
**Saturday 10[th] May – Leeds Minster VE Day Celebrations: C.H.H. PARRY – Crossing the Bar Freshwater R. VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (arr) – The Old Hundredth Psalm Tune – All People that on earth do dwell RUSSELL PASCOE – The Last Rose of Summer Joseph Judge – Conductor Bridge Ensemble The Hummingbirds Leeds Pipe Band**
**Saturday 7[th] June 2025: The Venue at Leeds Conservatoire WILL TODD - Mass in Blue Songs of Love**
**Joseph Judge - Conductor Leeds Philharmonic Chorus Soprano – Elizabeth Woods Piano – Pete Durrant The Leeds Conservatoire Jazz Trio featuring: Bass – Albert Chinn Drums – Adam Scott Saturday 21[st] June 2025 : St George’s Church, Great George Street, Leeds SINGING DAY with WILL TODD Piano - Chris Pulleyn**
5
## **PART TWO:**
## **TRUSTEES REPORT FOR 2025/26**
This part of the Annual Review provides information regarding the work of the Trustees and the Society in the year since the Annual General meeting in May 2025.
## **TRUSTEES AND SERVICE MANAGERS 2025/26**
At the AGM held on 22[nd] May 2025, a full complement of 12 Trustees were appointed to the Board. In addition, two non-Trustee Service managers were also appointed. The Trustees included newcomers, Lily Baars, Pollyanna Pierpoint and Angus Williams. Additionally, Max Davison-Smith was appointed as a nonTrustee Service Manager, joining David Jackson and Jack Parkes in non-Trustee positions. Early in the Season (September 2025) however, due to conflicting pressures Angus Williams stood down as a Trustee and the Board appointed Max Davidson-Smith as a Trustee as allowed by the provisions of the Constitution. This appointment kept the number of Trustees and the maximum allowed by the Constitution at twelve. The managerial positions associated with Income Generation and Tour Management were not filled although some interest was expressed by members to assist should a tour be proposed.
During 2025/26, most of the Society’s meetings were held using Zoom conferencing software, although there was an in-person strategy session held in September 2025. There were also four meetings of the Music Planning Group during the year which also includes non-Trustees and is open to all members of the Society.
The list of Trustees and Service Manager’s appointed for Season 2025/26 and their attendance at Board meetings is set out below. During the Year there were 9 meetings including a workshop session dealing with strategy development.
Philip Ratcliffe, the Hon. Secretary gave notice that he would not be standing as a Trustee or Service Manager at the AGM in 2026. Anne Prinn the Librarian also stated that she would step down as Librarian.
Trustees are pleased to report that there were no issues relating to non-compliance with the Constitution or Data Protection identified during the year. The Society’s Safeguarding Policy was reviewed and refreshed as necessary.
6
|**ROLE**|**Person Occupying the Role**|**No. of Meetings attended**
**Attendance to be checked**|
|---|---|---|
|**Trustee and Chair**|**Ruth Shann**|**9/9**|
|**Trustee and Hon.**
**Secretary**|**Philip Ratcliffe**|**9/9**|
|**Trustee and Hon.**
**Treasurer**|**Andrew Straton**|**8/9**|
|**Trustee and Hon.**
**Concert Manager**|**David Lunn**|**8/9**|
|**Trustee and Hon.**
**Marketing Manager**|**Penny Dean**|**8/9**|
|**Trustee and Hon.**
**Librarian **|**Anne Prinn**|**7/9**|
|**Trustee and Hon.**
**Outreach Manager **|**Lewis Hemingway**|**6/9**|
|**Trustee**|**Maggie Sheen**|**7/9**|
|**Trustee**|**Karin Houkes**|**7/9**|
|**Trustee**|**Angus Williams**(appointed at the
AGM in 2025, but stood down in
September 2025|**0**|
|**Trustee**|**Max Davidson-Smith (**appointed
as a Trustee by the Board in
September 2025)|**8/9**|
|**Trustee**|**Lily Baars**|**8/9**|
|**Trustee**|**Pollyana Pierpoint**|**8/9**|
|**Hon. Music Planning**
**Manager**|**David Jackson**|**8/9**|
|**Hon. Membership**
**Manager**|**Jack Parkes**|**4/9**|
|**Hon. Income**
**Generation Manager **|Vacant|**-**|
|**Hon. Tour Manager**|Vacant|**-**|
## **MARKETING AND OUTREACH UPDATE**
This year has involved focused effort to strengthen our marketing and outreach work. Our two conservatoire trustee students have helped to produce more regular Facebook posts and reels and have revived the flagging Instagram account. For the Sunrise Mass concert, we ran an internal poster competition, thereby engaging the membership in the process and hopefully leading to more contributions in the future.
The Sunday free relaxed performance of Sunrise Mass drew a noticeably large and diverse audience, demonstrating a clear appetite for our music among groups who may not otherwise be able to attend. In future seasons, we could explore allocating some choir funds and seeking matched grant support to offer similar free, relaxed performances for the benefit of the wider local community. A number of members represented the choir in December by singing carols at New Wortley Community Centre, strengthening our local connections.
The Home Alone performance in Hull also led to a request to do a short radio interview, helping to spread our name around.
7
We extended invitations to local charities to attend our concerts. While this had limited success in terms of coordinated group attendance, several individuals did attend. More structured partnership building may be needed to turn this into regular group engagement. We are also continuing to explore engagement with other Leeds organisations to develop longer term relationships that support both outreach and audience development This has already lead to a new (and hopefully regular) concert opening at Christmas with Temple Newsam House and we are further exploring collaboration with events at Harewood House for the 2026/27 season.
## **SPONSORSHIP OF ORGAN PIPES IN LEEDS TOWN HALL**
The Society has in recent times been grateful to receive significant legacy donations from former Members **,** Maureen Cliff and Kate (Katherine) Sowden. In recognition of their support of the work of the Society the Trustees Board have sponsored two significant pipes in the refurbished organ at the Town Hall. These are visible pipes facing the audience and are **:**
- **Double Open Diapason 32’ C#2**
- **Double Open Diapason 32’ F6**
The support of these former members will always be on visible display when the Society performs in the Town Hall and will be a lasting memorial to their dedication and generosity in supporting the Society.
## **ROLE OF CHORUS DIRECTOR**
Following the successful year during which the Chorus Master negotiated directly, on behalf of the Society with the Leeds Conservatoire, and conducted a number of excellent concerts, the Board took the decision to recognise his achievement and to restructure the post as Chorus Director, rather than Chorus Master. The redefining of the role was supported by David Hill, the Music Director.
## **COLLABORATION WITH THE LEEDS CONSERVATOIRE**
During the latter part of Season 2023/24 the Chorus started rehearsing with one of the studios at Leeds Conservatoire. This came about when the Leeds City College rooms become difficult to book and the times that the college was open started to restrict chorus activities. Whilst the Conservatoire cost more than the College the facilities are much better with a grand piano, raked seating and better facilities generally.
## **ONGOING CLOSURE OF LEEDS TOWN HALL**
The ongoing closure of Leeds Town Hall is a real cause for concern. The latest information (March 2026) is that it may open in Spring 2027. The planning of choral concerts within the LICS programming is a collaborative process with both the Philharmonic and Festival Choruses having inputs to the discussions. It is currently thought that the opening concert will include both the Phil and Festival and the Chorus of Opera North, but the timing of this is uncertain. It is likely that the previous arrangement whereby each summer there would be a joint choral concert during which both choruses would collaborate, with David Hill and Simon Wright alternating in conducting the join concert, whilst in the autumn and spring each chorus would be responsible for their own concert in the LICS season. Efforts will continue to be made to secure collaborative performances as well as opportunities across the City and wider regions to showcase the Leeds Phil, but this also continues to be difficult.
8
## **THANKS**
The Society is very grateful to our Chorus Director, Joseph Judge and Accompanist, Russell Medley, for their work during the season coaching the Chorus to deliver high standard performances. Joe has also conducted a number of memorable performances which have been very satisfying to perform and have been well received. He has worked hard with the Leeds Conservatoire in bringing together the closer collaboration which is now developing. Trustees are very grateful for the work Joe has undertaken and helping to raise the profile of the Society both within the city and further afield.
The Society is also grateful to David Hill for his continued involvement in the Phil. We were very pleased to continue the collaboration with him and are exploring opportunities through him with the Bach Choir.
To Irene Truman and Richard Staveley for undertaking the weekly Raffle at rehearsal, We are very grateful that Chris Robinson (Bass) and Vikki Sutcliffe (Soprano) who undertake the activities relating to Subscriptions and HMRC, and again to Richard Stavely for the “100 Club). To Jonathan Morrish for handling ticket sales.
Finally, thanks must be given to our Members, both singing and non-singing, for their on-going support, patience and commitment to the Society.
Without our Membership we cannot achieve our charitable objects and as the Organisational Design review rolls forward it is hoped that Members will become more actively engaged in helping to deliver a bright future.
For and on behalf of the Trustees of the Society: Philip J Ratcliffe Hon. Secretary Leeds Philharmonic Society (CIO)
## **CONCERTS GIVEN DURING SEASON 2025/26**
**Saturday 15[th] November 2025, St Edmund’s Church Roundhay Leeds Philharmonic Chorus – Conducted by Joseph Judge Rothwell Temperance Band – Conducted by Dave Roberts Neil Taylor - Organ**
**G.H.H. PARRY– I was Glad and Blest Pair of Sirens Sarah RIMKUS – Breathe Free Philip WILBY – At the Round Earth’s Imagined Corners G.H.H.PARRY – Blest Pair of Sirens Harol ARLEN arr Pickard – Somewhere over the rainbow John RUTTER - Gloria**
**Saturday 6[th] December 2025, Temple Newsam House Carol Recital Leeds Philharmonic Chorus Conducted by Joseph Judge, Chorus Director Russell Medley - Piano**
## **CONCERTS GIVEN DURING SEASON 2025/26**
**Thursday 4[th] 2025 - December Carols at Leeds Station Wedesday 10[th] December 2025 - Connexin Live, Hull** “ **Home Alone” John WILLIAMS Score Limelight Orchestra Conducted by Adrian Sampaya Thursday 18[th] December 2025 Leeds Minster Lord Mayor’s Carols Conducted by Joseph Judge and Darius Battiwalla Saturday 21[st] March 2026 AND Sunday 22[nd] March – Leeds Museum OLE GJEILO – Sunrise Mass Conducted by Joseph Judge Leeds Conservatoire String Orchestra Film produced by Northern Film School**
**Saturday 13th St Edmund’s Church Roundhay Giuseppe VERDI: Requiem** (arr for 2 pianos, organ and percussion by Richard Blackford) **Conducted by David Hill MBE Russell Medley and Christopher Pulleyn (pianos) Neil Taylor (organ) Mark Concar and Harry Percy (percussion) Rachel Speirs - Soprano; Amy Holyland - Mezzo; Iain Milne - Tenor; Andrew Greenan -Bass**
**SATURDAY 26[th] JUNE 2026 - St George’s Church Leeds, SINGING DAY with Neil Ferris**
- **Cecilia McDOWELL Ave maris stella;**
- **Ethel SMYTH: Mass in D (Selected Movements);**
- **Oliver TARNEY: The Spirit of the Lord;**
-
**SUNDAY 13[th] JULY 2026 – LEEDS MINSTER LEEDS 400 CIVIC CELEBRATION Leeds Philharmonic Chorus Leeds Festival Chorus Bridge Ensemble Conductors: Yannis Daoutis, Joseph Judge and Simon Wright**
**To include PARRY “I was Glad”**
10
## **CONCERT PLANS FOR 2026/27**
- **SATURDAY 24[th] October 2026** - St Edmund’s Church, Roundhay: Beethoven Symphony No 7 and Mass in C;
- **SATURDAY 5[th] December 2026** - Temple Newsam House, Carol Recital;
- **THURSDAY 10[th] December –** Carols at Leeds Station;
- **(Possible but not confirmed SATURDAY 12[th] December 2026** “The Fellowship of the Ring at Co-op Arena Manchester);
- **WEDNESDAY 16[th] December 2026** – Leeds Minster, Lord Mayor’s Carols;
- **Saturday March 20[th] 2027** – venue to be confirmed. To include Howard Goodall “Eternal Light” – collaboration with Leeds Dance;
- **THURSDAY 20[th] May 2027** – **OPENING CONCERT OF LEEDS TOWN HALL** – to include William Walton “Belshazzar’s Feast” a newly commissioned Choral Fanfare on text by Simon Armitage and Saint-Saens Symphony No 3 “Organ”;
- Date of SINGING Day to be confirmed
_Philip Ratcliffe (Honorary Secretary), secetary@leedsphil.com Leeds Philharmonic Society (CIO) Charity Number 1162999; Address:- 7 West Royd Villas, HALIFAX, HX1 3LS_
11
**REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1162999**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT AND**
**UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025**
## **FOR**
## **LEEDS PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY CIO**
UHY BPR Heaton Chartered Accountants Glenewes House Gate Way Drive Leeds West Yorkshire LS19 7XY
**LEEDS PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY CIO**
## **CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025**
||**Page**|
|---|---|
|**Reference and Administrative Details**|1|
|**Trustees' Report**|2 to 4|
|**Independent Examiner's Report**|5|
|**Statement of Financial Activities**|6|
|**Balance Sheet**|7|
|**Notes to the Financial Statements**|8 to 12|
|**Detailed Statement of Financial Activities**|13 to 14|
**LEEDS PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY CIO**
## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025**
We have removed the Phrase Trustee without Portfolio as part of the Organisations Review
## **TRUSTEES**
Ruth Shann Chair Philip Ratcliffe Hon. Secretary Andrew Straton Hon.Treasurer David Lunn Hon. Concert Manager Penny Dean Hon. Marketing Manager (Lead)) Anne Prinn Hon. Librarian Lewis Hemingway Hon. Marketing Manager Maggie Sheen Karin Houkes Lilly Baars Pollyanna Pierpoint Angus Williams (to September 2025) Max Davidson-Smith (from September 2025) **NON TRUSTEE MANAGERS** Jack Parkes Hon. Membership Manager David Jackson Hon. Music Programme Manager Angus Williams (from September 2025)
## **PRINCIPAL ADDRESS**
7 West Royd Villas King Cross Halifax HX1 3LS
**REGISTERED CHARITY** 1162999 **NUMBER**
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER**
UHY BPR Heaton Chartered Accountants Glenewes House Gate Way Drive Leeds West Yorkshire LS19 7XY
Page 1
## **LEEDS PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY CIO**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025**
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 July 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of 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) (effective 1 January 2019).
## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES**
With the continuing closure of Leeds Town Hall, the Society continued to perform in alternative venues. In particular, St Edmund's Church in Roundhay has become our new preferred performance space. Other performances were given in "The Venue" at Leeds Conservatoire, The Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham and Symphony Hall, Birmingham.
For the second year in a row the Chorus was delighted to be invited to take part in performances of the John Williams score of "Home Alone" being shown with live orchestra on big screens in both Nottingham and Birmingham. This took the name of the Society to a much wider audience in un-familiar venues.
The Society used St Edmund's Church in Roundhay Leeds twice during the year which was a great success in terms of audience attendance and is likely to continue to be a venue for concerts in future even after the Town Hall has reopened. The performance conducted by our Music Director, David Hill, of the Howard Goodall, "Eternal Light - a requiem" paired with arrangements of spirituals "Feel the Spirit" by John Rutter was a great success. A profoundly moving performance of J.S.Bach "St John Passion" affected many of those present with its beautiful and dramatic telling of the story of the Passion of Christ. The performance of the Will Todd "Mass in Blue" brought together jazz players from the Conservatoire with the chorus to deliver a very successful concert given in "The Venue" at the Conservatoire. The Chorus welcomed Will Todd again at the end of the Season to lead a singing day focussed around his "Mass in Blue" and other works. This attracted many people from outside the Society and also lead to an increase in Membership.
This year was the first when we were based at the Leeds Conservatoire. We are very pleased with the collaboration that has been achieved with the Conservatoire and are delighted that students are also joining the chorus as part of the musical education.
The Membership of the Society grew during the year to 118.
Page 2
## **LEEDS PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY CIO**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025**
## **FINANCIAL REVIEW**
## **Financial position**
During the 2024 - 2025 season we performed in seven concerts. We were paid a performance fee for the two "Home Alone" performances but all our own promotions made a loss.
Our investment interest received has increased because of the legacies we received last year.
There has been an increase in membership subscriptions, both of which have helped to keep our overall losses to a reasonable amount.
At the end of the financial year our reserves had decreased by approximately £2,500.
|Concert
Number|1|2|3|4|5|6|7|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Concert Date|16-Nov-24|19-Dec-24|Dec-24|15-Mar-25|10-May-25|07-Jun-25|21-Jun-25|
|Venue|St
Edmunds
Church|Leeds Minster|Birmingham/
Nottingham|St Edmund's
Church|Leeds
Minster|Leeds
Conservatoire|St George's
Church|
|Works
Performed|Goodall/
Rutter|LMCC|Home alone|Bach St John's
Passion|VE/VJ
concert|Todd - Mass
in Blue|Come and Sing
Day|
|Total Income|£3,534.22|£500.00|£2,500.00|£3,665.00|£0.00|£0.00|£1,640.00|
|Total
Expenditure|£5,555.43|£937.38|£0.00|£9,697.38|£0.00|£1,698.24|£3,885.39|
|Surplus
(Deficit)|(£2,021.21)|(£437.38)|£2,500.00|(£6,032.38)|£0.00|(£1,698.24)|(£2,245.39)|
## **Investment policy**
There are no restrictions on the Trustees' powers of investment, but the investment is governed by the rules of the Trustees Act 2000 as established by the CIO constitution. Trustees have taken advantage of better interest rates by investing in a one-year bond with the United Trust Bank and one-year bonds with the Redwood Bank. We also continue to hold funds within the Monmouthshire Building Society at a fair rate of interest. The Trustees continue to look for a good return on invested monies and plan to invest in new bonds next year after the maturation of the current bonds.
## **Reserves**
At the end of the year, our unrestricted funds have decreased to £178,046 (2024 - £180,596) and restricted funds remain at £3,686 giving total funds carried forward of £181,732 (2024 - £184,282).
Amounts in unrestricted reserves of the Society represent monies available for the achievement of the charitable objectives of the Society.
Restricted reserves relate to:
- The Mrs T Cooke prize fund which supports individual vocal training for members of the chorus
- The Tour Fund is in respect of monies relating to Choir Tours
- The Leeds Philharmonic School Singing Competition
## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT**
## **Governing document**
The charity is controlled by its governing document and is a Registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO).
Page 3
## **LEEDS PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY CIO**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025**
## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT**
## **Organisational review**
The Organisational Review is continuing under the guidance of the current Chair Ruth Shann, and further ways in which the Committee would deal with Governance Matters as distinct from Service delivery Management are being developed. In particular, the consideration of Governance and compliance issues separate from day-to-day managements matters has been beneficial and has streamlined Board meetings.
In terms of Governance, we are pleased to confirm that there no issues arising relating to compliance with the Constitution, Data Protection, or Safeguarding identified during the year.
As the restructuring work continues it is likely that there will be a need to engage with the members of the society to ensure the direction of travel is fully supported by members and that they can also help to steer and shape the path ahead.
As previously, all Trustees and Service Manager are confirmed in their roles by the Membership at the AGM, although the Board can, as necessary appoint replacement Trustees without reference to the membership.
## **Risk management**
The trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error.
A review of Safeguarding Policy was completed during the year, with a small number of changes reflecting the latest regulatory framework and experience.
Whilst Covid has not gone away and it still impacts upon member's health from time to time, the regulatory framework has changed significantly, with individuals, rather than organisations being responsible. Trustees continue to advise Members to follow the national guidance to reduce risk to others.
The ongoing restructuring of the management of the Society continued during the Season, with decisions regarding the role of Service Managers, no longer needing to be a Trustee. This encouraged additional Members to consider helping to manage the Society, rather than being put-off by the formal role as a Trustee. The management of the Society continued to evolve with emphasis on Governance on a quarterly basis, which allowed more streamlined Board Meetings. There have not been any issues arising, during the year relating to, Governance matters which would have meant intervention to ensure compliance with the Constitution of the Society.
Approved by order of the board of trustees on ............................................. and signed on its behalf by:
................................................................. P Ratcliffe - Trustee
Page 4
**INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF LEEDS PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY CIO**
## **Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Leeds Philharmonic Society CIO**
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Leeds Philharmonic Society CIO (the Trust) for the year ended 31 July 2025.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under Section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
## **Independent examiner's statement**
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by Section 130 of the Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Mark Andrews ACA FCCA CTA
UHY BPR Heaton Chartered Accountants Glenewes House Gate Way Drive Leeds West Yorkshire LS19 7XY
Date: .............................................
Page 5
**LEEDS PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY CIO**
## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025**
|Unrestricted
fund
Notes
£
**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM**
Donations and legacies
2
27,547
**Charitable activities**
Concerts
10,199
Other trading activities
3
4,844
Investment income
4
6,338
**Total**
48,928
**EXPENDITURE ON**
Raising funds
656
**Charitable activities**
Concerts
17,576
Other Costs
28,012
Support costs
2,784
Governance costs
2,450
**Total**
51,478
**NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)**
(2,550)
**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS**
Total funds brought forward
180,596
**TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**
178,046|Restricted
funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
3,686
3,686|2025
Total
funds
£
27,547
10,199
4,844
6,338
48,928
656
17,576
28,012
2,784
2,450
51,478
(2,550)
184,282
181,732|2024
Total
funds
£
52,564
7,423
7,577
4,204|
|---|---|---|---|
||||71,768|
||||2,195
18,802
28,295
2,609
2,400|
||||54,301|
||||17,467
166,815|
||||184,282|
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 6
## **LEEDS PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY CIO**
## **BALANCE SHEET 31 JULY 2025**
|Unrestricted
fund
Notes
£
**CURRENT ASSETS**
Debtors
7
8,587
Cash at bank and in hand
171,909
180,496
**CREDITORS**
Amounts falling due within one year
8
(2,450)
**NET CURRENT ASSETS**
178,046
**TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT**
**LIABILITIES**
178,046
**NET ASSETS**
178,046
**FUNDS**
9
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
**TOTAL FUNDS**|Restricted
funds
£
-
3,686
3,686
-
3,686
3,686
3,686|2025
Total
funds
£
8,587
175,595
184,182
(2,450)
181,732
181,732
181,732
178,046
3,686
181,732|2024
Total
funds
£
7,221
180,163
187,384
(3,102)
184,282
184,282
184,282
180,596
3,686
184,282|
|---|---|---|---|
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on ............................................. and were signed on its behalf by:
............................................. A Straton - Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 7
**LEEDS PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY CIO**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025**
## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES**
## **Basis of preparing the financial statements**
The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) '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) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
The financial statements are presented in sterling which is the functional currency of the charity rounded to the nearest pound.
## **Income**
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
## **Expenditure**
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
## **Taxation**
The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.
## **Fund accounting**
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
## **2. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES**
|Donations
Gift aid
Legacies
Grants
Subscriptions|2025
£
36
4,653
500
200
22,158
27,547|2024
£
107
4,421
27,397
200
20,439|
|---|---|---|
|||52,564|
Page 8
continued...
**LEEDS PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY CIO**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025**
## **3. OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES**
|Raffles
100 club
Friends of the Phil
One off projects
Tour fund
Dresses, sweatshirts, polo shirts and choir folders
Music sales, music hire
Come and sing day
**INVESTMENT INCOME**
Deposit account interest|2025
£
828
1,366
735
240
-
-
35
1,640
4,844
2025
£
6,338|2024
£
841
2,629
820
1,392
1,805
90
-
-|
|---|---|---|
|||7,577|
|||2024
£
4,204|
## **4. INVESTMENT INCOME**
## **5. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS**
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 July 2025 nor for the year ended 31 July 2024.
## **Trustees' expenses**
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 July 2025 nor for the year ended 31 July 2024.
## **6. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES**
|Unrestricted
fund
£
**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM**
Donations and legacies
52,563
**Charitable activities**
Concerts
7,423
Other trading activities
5,772
Investment income
4,204
**Total**
69,962
**EXPENDITURE ON**
Raising funds
2,195
**Charitable activities**
Concerts
16,757
Other Costs
28,295
Support costs
2,609
Governance costs
2,400
**Total**
52,256|Restricted
funds
£
1
-
1,805
-
1,806
-
2,045
-
-
-
2,045|Total
funds
£
52,564
7,423
7,577
4,204|
|---|---|---|
|||71,768|
|||2,195
18,802
28,295
2,609
2,400|
|||54,301|
Page 9
continued...
## **LEEDS PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY CIO**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025**
|**6.**|**COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued**|**COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued**|**COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued**|**COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued**||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||Unrestricted||Restricted|Total|
||||fund|funds|funds|
||||£|£|£|
||**NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)**||17,706|(239)|17,467|
||**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS**|||||
||Total funds brought forward|162,890||3,925|166,815|
||**TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**|180,596||3,686|184,282|
|**7.**|**DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**|||||
|||||2025|2024|
|||||£|£|
||Prepayments|||8,587|7,221|
|**8.**|**CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**|||||
|||||2025|2024|
|||||£|£|
||Other creditors|||2,450|3,102|
|**9.**|**MOVEMENT IN FUNDS**|||||
|||||Net||
|||||movement|At|
|||At|1/8/24|in funds|31/7/25|
||||£|£|£|
||**Unrestricted funds**|||||
||General fund|180,596||(2,550)|178,046|
||**Restricted funds**|||||
||Mrs T Cook Prize||789|-|789|
||Tour Fund||1,072|-|1,072|
||School Singing Competition||1,825|-|1,825|
||||3,686|-|3,686|
||**TOTAL FUNDS**|184,282||(2,550)|181,732|
||Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:|||||
|||Incoming||Resources|Movement|
|||resources||expended|in funds|
||||£|£|£|
||**Unrestricted funds**|||||
||General fund|48,928||(51,478)|(2,550)|
||**TOTAL FUNDS**|48,928||(51,478)|(2,550)|
Page 10
continued...
**LEEDS PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY CIO**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025**
## **9. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued**
## **Comparatives for movement in funds**
|At 1/8/23
£
**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
162,890
**Restricted funds**
Mrs T Cook Prize
789
Tour Fund
1,311
School Singing Competition
1,825
3,925
**TOTAL FUNDS**
166,815
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
Incoming
resources
£
**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
69,962
**Restricted funds**
Tour Fund
1,806
**TOTAL FUNDS**
71,768|Net
movement
At
in funds
31/7/24
£
£
17,706
180,596
-
789
(239)
1,072
-
1,825
(239)
3,686
17,467
184,282
Resources
Movement
expended
in funds
£
£
(52,256)
17,706
(2,045)
(239)
(54,301)
17,467|
|---|---|
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:
|**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
**Restricted funds**
Mrs T Cook Prize
Tour Fund
School Singing Competition
**TOTAL FUNDS**|At 1/8/23
£
162,890
789
1,311
1,825
3,925
166,815|Net
movement
in funds
£
15,156
-
(239)
-
(239)
14,917|At
31/7/25
£
178,046
789
1,072
1,825|
|---|---|---|---|
||||3,686|
||||181,732|
Page 11
continued...
**LEEDS PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY CIO**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025**
## **9. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued**
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
||Incoming|Resources|Movement|
|---|---|---|---|
||resources|expended|in funds|
||£|£|£|
|**Unrestricted funds**||||
|General fund|118,890|(103,734)|15,156|
|**Restricted funds**||||
|Tour Fund|1,806|(2,045)|(239)|
|**TOTAL FUNDS**|120,696|(105,779)|14,917|
## **10. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES**
There were no related party transactions during the year ended 31 July 2025..
Page 12
**LEEDS PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY CIO**
## **DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025**
|**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS**
**Donations and legacies**
Donations
Gift aid
Legacies
Grants
Subscriptions
**Other trading activities**
Raffles
100 club
Friends of the Phil
One off projects
Tour fund
Dresses, sweatshirts, polo shirts and choir
folders
Music sales, music hire
Come and sing day
**Investment income**
Deposit account interest
**Charitable activities**
Concert income
**Total incoming resources**
**EXPENDITURE**
**Raising donations and legacies**
100 club
**Charitable activities**
Postage and stationery
Subscriptions and insurance
Artistic costs
Tour
Hall hire
Miscellaneous concert expenditure
Chorus master and accompanist
Music director
Hire of rehearsal rooms
Advertising, marketing and sundry costs
Fundraising
Carried forward|2025
£
36
4,653
500
200
22,158
27,547
828
1,366
735
240
-
-
35
1,640
4,844
6,338
10,199
48,928
656
196
609
11,597
-
550
2,392
15,889
605
5,801
3,746
-
41,385|2024
£
107
4,421
27,397
200
20,439|
|---|---|---|
|||52,564
841
2,629
820
1,392
1,805
90
-
-|
|||7,577
4,204
7,423|
|||71,768
2,195
20
548
7,898
2,045
570
11,903
13,953
1,200
2,252
1,263
284
41,936|
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
Page 13
## **LEEDS PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY CIO**
|**DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES**
**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025**
**Charitable activities**
Brought forward
Gifts and commissions
Storage unit
Come and sing day
**Support costs**
**Finance**
Bank charges
**Governance costs**
Independent examiners fee
Accountancy fees
Trustees meeting room hire
Total resources expended
**Net (expenditure)/income**|2025
£
41,385
-
2,719
4,091
48,195
112
1,225
1,225
65
2,515
51,478
(2,550)|2024
£
41,936
5,046
2,458
-|
|---|---|---|
|||49,440
115
1,200
1,200
151|
|||2,551|
|||54,301|
|||17,467|
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
Page 14