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2023-03-31-accounts

Charity registration number 1165519

CHEQUER MEAD ARTS AND COMMUNITY TRUST ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

CHEQUER MEAD ARTS AND COMMUNITY TRUST

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Trustees Cllr. F Obsorne (ex-chairman)
Cllr. J A Mockford
S G Cole (independent)
Cllr. H Farren (Chairman)
N S Gibson (independent/Treasurer)
Cllr D Duly (Appointed 25 May 2022)
Cllr S Barnett (Appointed 24 May 2023)
Cllr T Hughes (Appointed 24 May 2023)
Charity number 1165519
Registered office Chequer Mead Theatre
De La Warr Road
East Grinstead
RH19 3BS
Independent examiner Darren Harding ACA FCCA DChA
Richard Place Dobson Services Limited
1-7 Station Road
Crawley
West Sussex
RH10 1HT

CHEQUER MEAD ARTS AND COMMUNITY TRUST

CONTENTS

Page
Trustees' report 1 - 6
Independent examiner's report 7
Statement of financial activities 8 - 9
Balance sheet 10
Notes to the financial statements 11 - 23

CHEQUER MEAD ARTS AND COMMUNITY TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's [governing document], 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) (effective 1 January 2019)".

Objectives and activities

The Charity's objects are:

The main objectives each year are the promotion and fostering of artistic knowledge and the appreciation of the arts by the provision of facilities for the education and entertainment of the public in the fields of art, craft, music and drama.

The strategies employed to achieve the Charity's objects are to:

Activities

The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.

In normal circumstances the three major areas of activity are: concerts and stage performances; educational pro-grammes, and studio hires for community group rehearsals and meetings.

The artistic programme seeks to combine amateur community events together with professional events including clas-sical plays, light opera, music, ballet, and dramatic modern performances to suit a range of public tastes with the em-phasis on maintaining a popular programme, which underpins the viability of a Chequer Mead that reaches out to the community.

page 1

CHEQUER MEAD ARTS AND COMMUNITY TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

The annual Christmas pantomime remains Chequer Mead’s flagship event, from both a financial and a community perspective. Following the enormous success of the first full in-house production, ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’, the Trustees decided to continue with in-house pantomime productions, and the December 2022 pantomime, ‘Aladdin’, was even more successful than Jack and the Beanstalk, generating revenue materially higher than even the last pre-pandemic pantomime, Cinderella, with a very high level of complimentary and positive feedback from the local community. As in previous years, a ‘relaxed performance’ was included, aimed at those in our community who benefit from a quieter performance.

Musical highlights of the year included the monthly East Grinstead Jazz Club, The Carpenters Experience, Show of Hands, Shakatak, T.Rextasy, The Drifters, The Unthanks, Steeleye Span, Dynamo Quartet, Seth Lakeman, and Ralph McTell; comedy shows featured high profile performers Gary Delaney, Suzi Ruffell, Mark Watson, and Hal Cruttend-en; and Psychic Sally. During the year, the well-attended ‘West End Cabaret Club’ performances continued and sold well. East Grinstead Comedy Club was started as a co-production between the Trust and Rangatainment (Romesh Ranganathan’s family). The monthly performances are selling well and continue to go from strength to strength.

The Apron Bar and Coffee House started trading in September 2019 as an in-house subsidiary trading company to provide an integrated and informal structure for the provision of hot beverages, catering and bar operations, for events and as a community provision at other times. Profits generated by the trading company are gifted to the Trust as a charitable donation. The Trustees are delighted with the performance of the trading company, which finished the year 2022-2023 with a gross profit of £42,052 before the donation to the CIO (previous year a trading profit of £22,922). After allowance for taxes, a donation of £40,990 was made to the CIO by the trading subsidiary following the year end (previous year a donation of £9,565).

The Apron has become a valued asset to the community and goes from strength to strength, supporting the work of the CIO.

Despite commercial pressures to drive ticket sales from popular shows - our charitable objects dictate that we are re-quired to provide a very wide and balanced programme of types and styles of events - to suit the public needs. There-fore all programming is divided into eight different categories of: Music, Dance, Comedy, Musicals & Drama, Event Cinema, Family, Talks, Film.

Many of our Town and District primary and secondary schools continue to use Chequer Mead Theatre for their plays and productions, at discounted hire rates. We look forward to their return.

We have hosted many amateur dramatic groups, and there are a host of amateur youth dance schools and groups that were hiring the theatre - quite often all day on a Sunday.

The Trustees have observed different patterns of ticket sales following the return from the pandemic. Theatre-goers are now, in general, purchasing tickets for shows shortly before the event takes place: pre-pandemic we would see a much higher proportion of advance ticket sales. The new pattern makes it harder to gauge the success of an event until it takes place, although ticket sales generally are close to pre-pandemic levels.

We are delighted that 77% of those who attended events were happy to use e-tickets for entry, and we anticipate this figure will climb.

Volunteers and Friends

The very loyal band of fifty core volunteers continue to provide a marvellous service to Chequer Mead operating the box office, as theatre stewards, and selling ice cream. Bar activities are now held within the trading subsidiary, and use of volunteers there has ceased.

Chequer Mead Premium Club was slowly growing pre-pandemic: for a modest yearly membership fee members enjoy a range of benefits such as ticket discounts and discounts at the Apron.

page 2

CHEQUER MEAD ARTS AND COMMUNITY TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Achievements and performance

General Manager and staffing

The Trustees would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the General Manager and all of the energetic current and former staff, for their efforts and dedication during the year. Following the pandemic and the instability that ensued, we now have a stable and very capable group of staff within the CIO. Staffing for the trading company remains a con-tinuing challenge, in common with the rest of the hospitality industry.

The General Manager and long-standing and new staff members continue to prioritise the safety and well-being of our staff and customers, whilst looking forward to building a new and engaging event schedule. With staffing now in place we can strengthen and restore our outreach to the community, as well as re-focusing on necessary improvements to the fabric of the building. During this challenging period the Trustees have continued to take a particular interest in the mental well-being of our staff, and continue to offer support.

Capital Investment and building works

The Trust remains a tenant at Chequer Mead, with the freehold being held by East Grinstead Town Council. The Trus-tees’ continuing objective is to improve or enhance the property where this either increases the attractiveness to com-munity patrons (as with the upgraded toilets) or provides a clear cost benefit to the Trust (the previously installed solar panels), with the spinoff benefit that the community ultimately owns an asset of which the value is maintained and enhanced.

Marketing and branding

The Trustees’ objective is to deliver more effective and innovative marketing in order to promote the brand further and to attract more agents, promoters, acts, hirers, community groups, amateur dramatic groups etc - as well as to drive this process into increased tickets sales and revenue.

Looking forward, social media, digital marketing and targeted emails have continued this year and will intensify - how-ever the two main traditional marketing tools remain the website and the Venue Guide - of which three had been pro-duced each year (Jan to April/ May to August/ September to December). Post-year end, in order to reduce costs, the Trustees decided to reduce the frequency to twice each year and reduce the size, without sacrificing quality.

Online sales for the year reached 74% of all sales for the year, which was almost identical to the previous year, and now seems a continuing trend post-pandemic.

Financial review

During the year the Trust made a loss of £14,193 after the donation received from the trading company (previous year’s loss £35,832 before the post-year end donation of £9,565 from the trading company). This continues the trend as seen in the previous year’s accounts towards becoming profitable again.

During the year, following the 2021-22 audit, our auditors recommended that the CIO trustees formally appoint one of their number as Treasurer. After due consideration, Nick Gibson (independent) was voted into the role.

The building has unavoidable base-line costs, whether or not revenue is generated from events, from mandatory maintenance to insurance. The installation of solar panels continues to help to defray energy costs during the financial year and going forward, which is of some help in current circumstances. The Trustees are grateful to East Grinstead Town Council for their continued support and annual grant. Chequer Mead normally receives no other grants that sup-port core running costs and has to earn income to enable the theatre to be self-supporting in normal times.

The Trust will continue to make applications to grant funding bodies to improve our existing facilities. Project funding will also be pursued to continue our programme of arts development and youth projects which were proving a popular addition to our work. During the previous year Chequer Mead had received £68,125 in grant funding from Mid Sussex District Council for the toilet refurbishment project, which has now been completed to a high standard, and the funds released from restricted reserves in settlement. The Trustees are grateful to MSDC for their continuing support.

We had successfully obtained ‘bounce back loans’ of £50,000 each for the Charity and the trading company during the pandemic, which after an interest-free period, continue to charge a very low rate of interest. We have been repaying approximately £850 per month, which is obviously reflected in the result for the period. The balance at the year-end for the Charity stands at £37,207 including interest (previous year £46,857).

page 3

CHEQUER MEAD ARTS AND COMMUNITY TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

It is the Trustees' view that it is prudent to ensure that there are sufficient reserves to provide financial flexibility over the course of each financial year. The reserves policy was reviewed at the end of 2022 and a revised policy adopted on 18th January 2023. The new policy sets a target of £150,000 in undesignated reserves (previously £250,000) representing approximately six months’ expenditure in the absence of any events or hires (as in the pandemic). The target date for achieving the new target was set as March 2024. The policy is scheduled for review as of March 2024, and then every two years thereafter.

Whilst the Trustees are budgeting for a return to profit for the year 2023-2024, we face (in common with the rest of the country) uncertainties around costs, particularly in respect of energy and logistics: we also face uncertainty in respect of the potential impact of inflation and interest rates on the discretionary spending of the theatre-going public and room hirers. We remain comfortable that we have adequate reserves to cover the charity against unforeseen and indeterminate rises in costs and/or reductions in revenue for the coming year.

Going Concern

After making appropriate enquiries, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate re-sources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. Further details regarding the adoption of the going concern basis can be found in the Accounting Policies.

Plans for future periods

Future Plans

Chequer Mead's objectives for 2023/24 include the following:

Structure, governance and management

The Trust’s affairs are overseen by the Board of Trustees. There is a mix of Council-appointed Trustees (“Nominated Trustees”) and Independent Trustees, and the Trust’s affairs are governed by its written Constitution which was revised and re-adopted during the year. Changes were to revise governance, but not the charity’s objectives or operations. The Trustees meet monthly. Nominees appointed by East Grinstead Town Council are subject to the appointment process of this body and the guidelines on appointment to public office as they apply to local government nominees. Both Nominated and Independent Trustees are vetted and interviewed by the Board prior to appointment. All appointments are for fixed terms.

It is important to emphasise that the Chequer Mead Arts and Community Trust (a Charitable Incorporated Organisa-tion) is a totally separate and independent legal and trading entity from East Grinstead Town Council: the Town Council is the landlord and freehold site and building owner, and appoints half of the Trustees. The Chairman, who carries a casting vote, must be a Nominated Trustee.

page 4

CHEQUER MEAD ARTS AND COMMUNITY TRUST

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Chequer Mead Arts and Community Trust is legally bound principally by the Charities Act 2011 - and is required to report directly to the Charities Commission with an Annual Report including yearly accounts - as well as periodically on other administrative matters.

After the year end and prior to the signing of these accounts Council elections were held on 4th May 2023. Councillors cease to serve as Councillors once an election is formally called. The Constitution requires that Nominated Trustees should be serving Councillors: consequently the Nominated Trustees then ceased to be eligible to serve as Trustees. The new Council nominated four Councillors to serve as Trustees on 16th May 2023. The remaining Members of the CIO passed a Written Resolution on 17th May 2023 approving the re-appointments of Councillors Farren and Mockford as Nominated Trustees and approving the appointments of former Councillors Osborne and Duly as Independent Trus-tees. Councillors Barnett and Hughes were appointed as new Nominated Trustees at an Extraordinary General Meeting held on 24th May 2023.

The Trustees who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:

Cllr. F Obsorne (ex-chairman) Cllr. J A Mockford S G Cole (independent) Cllr. H Farren (Chairman) N S Gibson (independent/Treasurer) Cllr. F Visser (Resigned 1 April 2022) Cllr D Duly (Appointed 25 May 2022) Cllr S Barnett (Appointed 24 May 2023) Cllr T Hughes (Appointed 24 May 2023)

Board decisions are usually unanimous. In the event of a disagreement decisions are put to a vote of a simple majority, with dissenting views recorded in the Minutes. The Chairman has the casting vote.

The day-to-day running of the Trust is the responsibility of the General Manager, who is accountable to the Board of Trustees and reports to the Board at each monthly meeting on operational and financial issues. Each year the General Manager produces a detailed budget in conjunction with the Trustees, and reports on performance against budget each month.

Detailed policies are in place for discharging all mandatory responsibilities (e.g. Health and Safety, Diversity, Safeguarding etc).

Risk management

The Board and General Manager has a risk management strategy that comprises:

page 5

CHEQUER MEAD ARTS AND COMMUNITY TRUST TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR EIVDED 31 MARCH2023 Concluslon The y¢ai' to 31st March 2023 was chaiiGI¢Ti5¢d by re8rottping consolidation. Th¢ Th16tees attd Ilie larger coinmiinity ai Sf4ing Ihe benefits of tlie decisions in 2019 and 2021 regpe¢lively to bring the catering op¢r&tion ourpaiitQTnim¢ prodttclion in-IIou86 whilst c4)JJtinuing lo provi(k high qualily cveiits 92)d mainlaiE]in&T and %inptovtn8 our ￿ryleE $18ndards. We conllrtiie to kjok for ways to ¢nballte botli the COTllmunity expeiience at]d tsui. revettues - t]1¢ recent continuing tenancy af tlie Barclgys Bit)k advisory liub witliin Chtquer Mead from July tliis yearbEing but one cxample. The Tn]ste£8 ¢Xtend th¢iT that￿S to th¢ General Managtr and all of oui. staff for their ceaseless efforts to improve the Chequer Mead experience and reach out further to tlie commuttity. Il seeins ¢le&i' fr¢)m the feedback we receÉve that the commuTrity ov¢Trvhelmingly supports and values Chequ¢T Mead as ata integral and vital part of thc town. The trend overall profitability OVEr the t&st t[￿e¢ years, PDSt.pandeillic, 18 Very positive, and we arc budg¢ling for a small profit the 2023-2024 fitsancial year. Cl￿. H Farreo IChaim)an) Trustee D4t¢'. page 6

CHEQUER MEAD ARTS AND COMMUNITY TRUST

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT

TO THE TRUSTEES OF CHEQUER MEAD ARTS AND COMMUNITY TRUST

I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Chequer Mead Arts and Community Trust (the charity) for the year ended 31 March 2023.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act).

I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act. In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

Since the charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of , which is one of the listed bodies.

Your attention is drawn to the fact that the charity has prepared financial statements in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has now been withdrawn.

I understand that this has been done in order for financial statements to provide a true and fair view in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Practice effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2015.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

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 financial statements to be reached.

Darren Harding ACA FCCA DChA

Richard Place Dobson Services Limited 1-7 Station Road Crawley West Sussex RH10 1HT

Dated: 31 January 2024

page 7

CHEQUER MEAD ARTS AND COMMUNITY TRUST

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Current financial year
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
funds
general
designated
2023
2023
2023
Notes
£
£
£
Income and endowments from:
Donations and grants
3
123,004
-
-
Charitable activities
In House Produtions
4
148,672
-
-
Theatre operations
4
52,821
-
-
Studio Hire
4
103,895
-
-
Tenant income
4
59,805
-
-
Investments
5
2,350
-
-
Other income
6
56,603
-
-
Total income
547,150
-
-
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
Charitable activities
Theatre operations
7
547,486
13,857
-
Total charitable expenditure
547,486
13,857
-
Other
11
-
-
-
Total resources expended
547,486
13,857
-
Net expenditure for the year/
Net outgoing resources
(336)
(13,857)
-
Fund balances at 1 April 2022
137,939
520,283
123,054
Fund balances at 31 March 2023
137,603
506,426
123,054		 Total
2023
£
123,004
148,672
52,821
103,895
59,805
2,350
56,603
547,150
561,343
561,343
-
561,343
(14,193)
781,276
767,083		 Total
2022
£
182,134
124,008
8,586
25,201
43,751
1,692
4,379
389,751
414,584
414,584
1,434
416,018
(26,267)
807,543
781,276

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

page 8

CHEQUER MEAD ARTS AND COMMUNITY TRUST

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (CONTINUED) INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

Prior financial year
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
funds
general
designated
2022
2022
2022
Notes
£
£
£
Income and endowments from:
Donations and grants
3
114,009
-
68,125
Charitable activities
In House Produtions
4
124,008
-
-
Theatre operations
4
8,586
-
-
Studio Hire
4
25,201
-
-
Tenant income
4
43,751
-
-
Investments
5
1,692
-
-
Other income
6
4,379
-
-
Total income
321,626
-
68,125
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
Charitable activities
Theatre operations
7
400,727
13,857
-
Total charitable expenditure
400,727
13,857
-
Other
11
1,434
-
-
Total resources expended
402,161
13,857
-
Net outgoing resources before transfers
(80,535)
(13,857)
68,125
Gross transfers between funds
68,125
-
(68,125)
Net expenditure for the year/
Net movement in funds
(12,410)
(13,857)
-
Fund balances at 1 April 2021
150,349
534,140
123,054
Fund balances at 31 March 2022
137,939
520,283
123,054		 Total
2022
£
182,134
124,008
8,586
25,201
43,751
1,692
4,379
389,751
414,584
414,584
1,434
416,018
(26,267)
-
(26,267)
807,543
781,276

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

page 9

CHEQUER fiiEAD ARTS AND Co1￿INu￿1Ty TRUST BALANCE SHEET ASA T31 MARCH2023 2023 2022 E4otes Flxed 8s5ets Tangible ass¢ts Jnvestu]¢nts 13 14 516,582 10.000 514267 10.LN)O 526,582 524,267 Current 2ssets Debtors Cash at bank &lld ill hand 15 73.074 333,159 47,847 421,314 4062J3 469,161 Credltors: Amounts falllng due wlthffill one 17 (138.1011 (174,871) Net cumt ossels 268.132 294.290 Total a8Stt$ léss eurremt Ilabllltie5 794,714 818.557 Credttors.. amourtts falling due After more than obe year 18 127,631) (37,281} Net Assets 767,083 781,276 lthtome fund$ R¢stricted futtd8 UhrestrsGied fuu(is DesiEttaied funds G¢nerAI uDre$iiicted fund8 19 123,Q54 L23,054 20 506,426 137,603 520283 137,939 644,029 658,222 767,083 781,276 The fi[￿n(la1 8lattm¢nts wtrc approved by Ihc Trust¢¢$ on. l.l....o.i Ly- Cllr. H Farren TrJ$tee Chairm&￿) pag¢ 10

CHEQUER MEAD ARTS AND COMMUNITY TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

1 Accounting policies

Charity information

Chequer Mead Arts and Community Trust is a registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO).

1.1 Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's CIO Foundation Model, the Charities Act 2011, FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the Charities SORP "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). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.

The financial statements have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a true and fair view. This departure has involved following the Statement of Recommended Practice for charities applying FRS 102 rather than the version of the Statement of Recommended Practice which is referred to in the Regulations but which has since been withdrawn.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

Preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements

The financial statements contain information about Chequer Mead Arts and Community Trust as an individual charity and do not contain consolidated financial information as the parent of a group. The Charity is exempt from the requirement to prepare consolidated accounts on the basis it qualifies as a small group.

1.2 Going concern

At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

1.3 Charitable funds

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.

Designated Funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the trustees for particular purposes.

Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.

1.4 Income

Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.

page 11

CHEQUER MEAD ARTS AND COMMUNITY TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

Grant income provides funding to support performance activities and is recognised where there is entitlement, certainty of receipt and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability. Income is deferred when admission fees or performance related grants are received in advance of the performance or event to which they relate.

Income from bar and ice cream sales is recognised as earned (as the related goods and services are provided).

Investment income is recognised on a receivables basis.

Activities in furtherance of charitable objects includes theatre operations, studio hire, in-house productions and tenant income. Charitable income is recognised on the date of the performance or as the room is hired.

Donations and similar incoming resources are included in the year in which they are receivable, which is when the charity becomes entitled to the resource.

Other Income

Other income consists of Spektrix commissions, income from marketing and postage and income from the premium club. It is recognised in the accounts when the charity has earned entitlement to the income, it is probable the income will be received and the amount can be reliably measured.

Legacy Income

For Legacies entitlement is taken at earlier of:

Receipt of a legacy, is whole or in part, is only considered probable when the amount can be reliably measured and the charity has been notified of the executor's intention to make distribution. Where legacies have been notified to the charity, or the charity is aware of granting probate, and the criteria for income recognition have not been met, then the legacy is treated as a contingent asset and disclosed if material.

1.5 Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, 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 classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is 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.

Allocation and apportionment of costs

Support costs are those functions that assist the work of the charity but do not directly undertake charitable activities. Support costs include governance costs. These costs have been allocated between the different charitable activities on a percentage basis. The bases on which support costs have been allocated are set out in note 8.

page 12

CHEQUER MEAD ARTS AND COMMUNITY TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

1.6 Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.

All assets costing more than £1,000 are capitalised at cost.

Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less depreciation. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows:

Leasehold improvements Over the term of the lease Fixtures, fittings & equipment 10-33% p.a. straight line Computers 10-33% p.a. straight line

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.

1.7 Fixed asset investments

Fixed asset investments are initially measured at transaction price excluding transaction costs, and are subsequently measured at fair value at each reporting date. Changes in fair value are recognised in net income/(expenditure) for the year. Transaction costs are expensed as incurred.

A subsidiary is an entity controlled by the charity. Control is the power to govern the financial and operating policies of the entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities.

1.8 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

1.9 Financial instruments

The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Basic financial assets

Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discount offered.

Basic financial liabilities

Creditors and provisions

Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement value after allowing for any discounts offered.

page 13

CHEQUER MEAD ARTS AND COMMUNITY TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

Derecognition of financial liabilities

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

1.10 Taxation

The charity is not subject to corporation tax or any other taxes on income or gains arising from its charitable objectives.

1.11 Employee benefits

The costs of short term employee benefits are recognised as a liability and an expense.

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee's services are received.

1.12 Retirement benefits

Post costs and other post-retirement benefits

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charity's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.

1.13 Irrecoverable VAT

All resources expended are classified under activity headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Irrecoverable VAT is charged against the category of resources expended for which it was incurred.

1.14 Operating Leases

Rentals payable under operating leases are charged against income on a straight line basis over the period of the lease.

Donated assets

Goods donated for on-going use by the charity in carrying out its activities are recognised as tangible fixed assets with the corresponding gain recognised as income from donations when goods are above the charities capitalisation limit of £1,000. Donated goods are measured at their fair value.

Volunteer time

The charity makes use of volunteers in carrying out the charitable activities. It is impractical to value the costs of the volunteer involved. No amount for volunteer time are included within the accounts.

2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements

In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

page 14

CHEQUER MEAD ARTS AND COMMUNITY TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

3 Donations and grants

Unrestricted
Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
funds
general
general
2023
2022
2022
£
£
£
Donations and gifts
49,004
39,176
-
Grants
74,000
74,833
68,125
123,004
114,009
68,125
Grants receivable for core activities
Other
74,000
74,833
68,125
74,000
74,833
68,125
Charitable activities
In House
Produtions
Theatre
operations
Studio Hire
Tenant income
Total
2023
2023
2023
2023
2023
£
£
£
£
£
Income from charitable
activities
148,672
52,821
103,895
59,805
365,193
For the year ended 31 March 2022
In House
Produtions
Theatre
operations
Studio Hire
Tenant income
£
£
£
£
Income from charitable activities
124,008
8,586
25,201
43,751
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds - general
124,008
8,586
25,201
43,751		 Total
2022
£
39,176
142,958
182,134
142,958
142,958
Total
2022
£
201,546
Total
2022
£
201,546
201,546

4 Charitable activities

page 15

Unrestricted funds general 2022 £ 1,692 Unrestricted funds general 2022 £ - 3,377 1,002 4,379 Theatre operations 2022 £ 137,226 32,561 53,629 31,866 28,799 113,827 397,908 16,676 414,584 400,727 13,857 414,584
Unrestricted funds general 2023 £ 2,350 Unrestricted funds general 2023 £ 15,611 4,866 36,126 56,603 Theatre operations 2023 £ 237,548 33,074 5,226 112,924 35,385 121,669 545,826 15,517 561,343 547,486 13,857 561,343
Investments Deposit account interest Other income Other income Postage Premium Club Charitable activities Staff costs Depreciation and impairment Production & Events management Advertising IT, Repairs & Maintenance Daily running costs Share of governance costs (see note 8) Analysis by fund Unrestricted funds - general Unrestricted funds - designated
5 6 7

CHEQUER MEAD ARTS AND COMMUNITY TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

8 Support costs

Support costs
Support costs
Governance
costs
£
£
Independent Examiners fee
-
1,750
Accountancy
-
2,750
Legal and professional
-
11,017
-
15,517
Analysed between
Charitable activities
-
15,517		 2023
£
1,750
2,750
11,017
15,517
15,517		 2022
£
2,750
8,735
5,191
16,676
16,676

9 Trustees

None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration during the year and none of them were reimbursed any expenses (2022- no expenses were reimbursed).

10 Employees

The average monthly number of employees during the year was:

2023 2022
Number Number
Theatre management 1 1
Technical staff 2 6
Administration 4 4
Total 7 11
Employment costs 2023 2022
£ £
Wages and salaries 215,990 126,449
Social security costs 14,254 7,914
Other pension costs 4,044 2,395
234,288 136,758

There were no employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000.

page 17

CHEQUER MEAD ARTS AND COMMUNITY TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

11 Other

Net loss on disposal of tamgible fixed assets Total
Unrestricted
funds
general
2023
2022
£
£
-
1,434
-
1,434		 Total
Unrestricted
funds
general
2023
2022
£
£
-
1,434
-
1,434
1,434

12 Taxation

The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxationof Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects.

13 Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets
Leasehold
improvements
Fixtures, fittings
& equipment
Computers
£
£
£
Cost
At 1 April 2022
486,210
184,502
14,412
Additions
-
33,722
1,666
At 31 March 2023
486,210
218,224
16,078
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 April 2022
58,740
101,247
10,869
Depreciation charged in the year
13,858
17,499
1,717
At 31 March 2023
72,598
118,746
12,586
Carrying amount
At 31 March 2023
413,612
99,478
3,492
At 31 March 2022
427,470
83,255
3,542		 Total
£
685,124
35,388
720,512
170,856
33,074
203,930
516,582
514,267

page 18

CHEQUER MEAD ARTS AND COMMUNITY TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

14
Fixed asset investments
Cost or valuation
At 1 April 2022 & 31 March 2023
Carrying amount
At 31 March 2023
At 31 March 2022
Other investments comprise:
Notes
Investments in subsidiaries
24
15
Debtors
Amounts falling due within one year:
Trade debtors
Amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
16
Loans and overdrafts
Other loans
Payable within one year
Payable after one year		 Other
investments
10,000
10,000
10,000
2023
2022
£
£
10,000
10,000
2023
2022
£
£
16,708
6,593
38,247
9,565
1,395
5,892
16,724
25,797
73,074
47,847
2023
2022
£
£
37,207
46,857
9,576
9,576
27,631
37,281		 Other
investments
10,000
10,000
10,000
2023
2022
£
£
10,000
10,000
2023
2022
£
£
16,708
6,593
38,247
9,565
1,395
5,892
16,724
25,797
73,074
47,847
2023
2022
£
£
37,207
46,857
9,576
9,576
27,631
37,281
10,000
10,000
2022
£
10,000
2022
£
6,593
9,565
5,892
25,797
47,847
2022
£
46,857
9,576
37,281

The bounce back loan with Natwest bank was taken out during the Covid-19 pandemic. The amount borrowed was the max available of £50,000 at a fixed interest rate of 2.5%.

The loan which is repayable fully within 5 years had no interest charged in the first year and thereafter charged at the applicable rate above.

page 19

CHEQUER MEAD ARTS AND COMMUNITY TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

17 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Borrowings
Other taxation and social security
Trade creditors
Amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income
Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year
Borrowings		 2023
£
9,576
5,376
65,631
-
833
56,685
138,101
2023
£
27,631		 2022
£
9,576
192
48,219
16,733
411
99,740
174,871
2022
£
37,281

18 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year

19 Restricted funds

The income funds of the charity include restricted funds comprising the following unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust for specific purposes:

Movement in funds Movement in funds Movement in
funds
Balance at Income Transfers Balance at Income Balance at
1 April 2021 1 April 2022 31 March 2023
£ £ £ £ £ £
EGTC Bulding project 123,054 - - 123,054 - 123,054
MSDC Toilet Refurbishment - 68,125 (68,125) - - -
123,054 68,125 (68,125) 123,054 - 123,054

EGTC Building Project fund- This fund represents monies granted to the charity to carry out redevelopment work on the theatre.

Mid Sussex District Council have given the Charity a grant to be used for the purpose of refurbishing the toilets. Work was carried out on this during the year.

page 20

CHEQUER MEAD ARTS AND COMMUNITY TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

20 Designated funds

The income funds of the charity include the following designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes:

Balance at Expenditure Balance at Expenditure Balance at
1 April 2021 1 April 2022 31 March 2023
£ £ £ £ £
Donated Equipment 52,015 - 52,015 - 52,015
Leasehold improvements 441,327 (13,857) 427,470 (13,857) 413,613
Boiler 20,000 - 20,000 - 20,000
Theatre Seats 20,798 - 20,798 - 20,798
534,140 (13,857) 520,283 (13,857) 506,426

Theatre Seats Fund, Room Chairs Fund and Screen Projector fund all represents assets purchased with designated fund income. The balances are in line with the Net Book Value of these assets.

Leasehold improvements fund represents amounts that have been spend on leasehold improvements out of the EGTC building project grant including the annual depreciation charge.

The boiler fund represents funds set aside by the Trustees to upkeep the boilers on a regular basis.

page 21

CHEQUER MEAD ARTS AND COMMUNITY TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

21
Analysis of net assets between funds
Unrestrcited
Funds
Designated
Funds
Restricted
Funds
2023
2023
2023
£
£
£
Fund balances at 31 March 2023 are represented by:
Tangible assets
10,156
506,426
-
Investments
10,000
-
-
Current assets/(liabilities)
145,078
-
123,054
Long term liabilities
(27,631)
-
-
137,603
506,426
123,054		 Total
Unrestrcited
Funds
Designated
Funds
Restricted
Funds
2023
2022
2022
2022
£
£
£
£
516,582
86,797
427,470
-
10,000
10,000
-
-
268,132
78,423
92,813
123,054
(27,631)
(37,281)
-
-
767,083
137,939
520,283
123,054		 Total
2022
£
514,267
10,000
294,290
(37,281)
781,276

page 22

CHEQUER MEAD ARTS AND COMMUNITY TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

22 Financial commitments, guarantees and contingent liabilities

Contingent Liability

The S106 grants received from Mid Sussex District Council is potentially repayable if within 14 years the theatre facility ceases to be used for leisure activities or if any other conditions of the grant are not complied with.

23 Related party transactions

Remuneration of key management personnel

The remuneration of key management personnel is as follows.

2023 2022
£ £
Aggregate compensation 54,463 47,740

The charity has a close working relationship with East Grinstead Town Council. This body nominates the majority of trustees (see the trustees report) and provides funding to enable the charity to carry out its charitable activities. Grant income received in the year totalled £74,000 (2022: £74,000).

A subsidiary trading company Chequer Mead Trading Limited was incorporated on 15 May 2019 and began trading in September 2019. A donation of £40,990 (2022: £9,565) was made from the trading subsidiary to the charity during the year. At 31 March 2023 £38,247 was owed to the charity from the trading subsidiary.

24 Subsidiaries

These financial statements are separate charity financial statements for Chequer Mead Arts and Community Trust

Details of the charity's subsidiaries at 31 March 2023 are as follows:

Name of undertaking Registered Nature of business Class of % Held
office shares held Direct Indirect
Chequer Mead Trading Limited De La Warr Road, Hot beverages, food & catering Ordinary 100.00
East Grinstead, and bar service to benefit the
West Sussex, image of the Chequer Mead
RH19 3BS Theatre brand.

The aggregate capital and reserves and the result for the year of subsidiaries excluded from consolidation was as follows:

Name of undertaking Profit/(Loss) Capital and
Reserves
£ £
Chequer Mead Trading Limited - 10,000

page 23