Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From : 1[st] September 2024 To 31[st] August 2025
Charity name: Wolverhampton Symphony Orchestra
Charity registration number: 1166140
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | The object of the CIO shall be to promote, improve, develop and maintain public education in and appreciation of the art and science of music in all aspects by the presentation of public concerts and recitals and by such ways as the society through its committee shall determine from time to time. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
The orchestra rehearsed weekly during school terms throughout the year. Concerts were held in November 2024, as well as March and June 2025. February 2025 saw the second concert of the three- year project with the city’s Music Education Hub whereby we give a two-concert session in The Halls (formerly the Civic Hall) to demonstrate orchestral sounds and music to Year 7 pupils from across the city. Members of the orchestra are also assisting on a voluntary basis in the musical development of members of the Youth Orchestra at their rehearsals |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | Trustees are aware of the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit and have been reminded of this. |
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | The main achievements of the charity were the three concerts and the second concert of the three-year project with the city’s Music Education Hub. Audiences for these events benefited from being able to listen to live orchestral music of a high standard. The orchestra was nominated and short listed for the Royal Philharmonic Society Inspiration Award 2025. Young musicians of school age are given the opportunity to experience orchestral playing and repertoire beyond Youth Orchestra Standard. |
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | As of 31stAugust 2025, the total orchestra funds stood at £23,988, an increase of £2,313. The orchestra remains in a good position financially to fulfil its aims and objectives for the coming season |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | The orchestra has a policy of holding operating reserves equivalent to 6 months concert plus fixed overhead costs (a minimum reserve of £5,000). This represents mitigation of the costs of putting on concerts even with no concert income. Some reserves, arising from donations to the orchestra, are also held to allow performance of less-performed works which would otherwise be too expensive to put on. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | At the end of the period, donation reserves stood at £10,659 and operational reserves at £13,329. The balance of general funds is considered sufficient to cover reserves held in line with our policy, and the overall level held will be kept under review by the trustees. |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | N/A |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | N/A |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | Trustees have no uncertainty about the orchestra continuing as a going concern. The principal source of income is subscriptions, and membership numbers remain healthy. |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 |
Constitution as amended 3rdNovember 2022 |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | CIO - Association Registered 21 Mar 2016 as amended on 31 Oct 2021 as amended on 03 Nov 2022 |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | Elected by members at AGM |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Wolverhampton Symphony Orchestra |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | |
| Registered charity number | 1166140 |
| Charity’s principal address | Electra House 21 Victoria road Fallings Park Wolverhampton WV10 0NG |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole **year ** |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Cope | Chair | |||
| Suzanne Barratt | Website and Media Manager |
|||
| Lynn Curtis | Concert Manager |
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets N/A held in this capacity
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
| Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date |
David John Cope |
|
|---|---|---|
Chair |
||
| 10thOctober 2025 | ||
| 10thOctober 2025 |
Final_Accounts
Wolverhampton Symphony Orchestra
Registered CIO with Charity Commission No 1166140
FINAL ACCOUNTS for year ending 31st August 2025
| Current Account | |
|---|---|
| £ | |
| Brought forward at beginning | |
| of theyear | 21675 |
| Receipts | £ |
| Subscriptions | £4,719 |
| Concert Receipts | £5,169 |
| Gift Aid | £1,095 |
| Donations | £372 |
| Concert/Gig Fee | £4,230 |
| Play Day Income | £172 |
| Interest received | £167 |
| TimpHire | £200 |
| Total Receipts | £16,124 |
| Payments | £ |
| Rehearsal Room Hire | £1,700 |
| Concert Venue Hire & other concert expenses | £2,066 |
| Extra Players | £2,410 |
| Soloists | £150 |
| Conductor: rehearsals | £2,800 |
| Conductor: Concerts and playday | £825 |
| Leader | £585 |
| Making Music: Insurance and PRS | £437 |
| Publicity and Printing | £13 |
| Music Hire (includes playday costs) | £1,888 |
| Website | £808 |
| Miscellaneous | £129 |
| Total Payments | £13,811 |
| Receipts less Payments | £2,313 |
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Final_Accounts
Wolverhampton Symphony Orchestra
Registered CIO with Charity Commission No 1166140
| Savings Account | |
|---|---|
| £ | |
| Brought forward at beginning | |
| of theyear | 0 |
| Receipts | £ |
| Transfer from current account | £10,000 |
| Interest earned | £167 |
| Total Receipts | £10,167 |
|---|---|
| Payments | £ |
| Transfer to current account | £0 |
| Total Payments | £0 |
|---|---|
| Receipts less Payments | £10,167 |
| Page 2 |
Final_Accounts
Summary of Total Funds at Year end
| Summary of Total Funds at Year end | |
|---|---|
| NatWest_(Current Account plus Savings Account)_ | £23,988 |
| Cash in tin | £0 |
| Total Funds atyear end | £23,988 |
| reconciliation | |
| Funds bf - Current Account | £21,675 |
| Surplus | £2,313 |
| Funds cf | £23,988 |
| Variance | 0 |
Page 3
bank_rec
Bank recconciliation (Current Account & Savings Account) :
| Total bank balance as at 31st August 2025 | £23,988 |
|---|---|
| Current Account | Savings Account |
| plus uncredited income | £0 |
| less uncleared cheques | £0 |
| revised bank balance as at 31st August 2025 | £23,988 |
| Cash book to date | |
| Funds/Cash brought forward at beg of year | £21,675 |
| Income | £16,124 |
| Expenditure | £13,811 |
| Cash book balance ie actual balance | £23,988 |
| Variance | 0 |
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