NORTHERN STEEL NETWORK
(Charity No 1167154)
TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT
AND
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER, 2023

NORTHERN STEEL NETWORK (Charity No 11671541
TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER, 2023
Reference and Admlnistration Detslls
Charity name..
Northem Steel Network
Registered ¢harity no..
1167154
Address:
cjo Mike Gilberg, 23 Chiltem Road, North Shields, NE29 9QG
Names of chariiy trustees {acting at any time between 1 st January, 2023, and 15th October, 2024}'.
Karina Atkinson
Michael Darling
Louise Drewitumoran (Secretary)
Paul Fletcher
Mike Gilberg (Chairman and Treasurer)
Jenny Gilberglmcconnell
Julie Robinson
Rachel Farah
Louise Brydon
Ellie McGrady
Yasmin McGrady
Musical Director {Northern Steel Orchestra)..
Jenny Gilberglmcconnell
Structure, Governance and Management
Description..
a 'foundation' charitable incorporated organisation govemed by a
constitution and managed by tNstees, with the first trustees named in
the constitution and new trustees appointed by Gurrenl trustees
Management decisions are taken by a committee of all trustees, which normally meets six times per
year.
Objectives and Activities
Summary of objects:
The advancement of education of the public by the encouragement of the arts Wlth particular
reference to steel pan music, by particularfy but not exclusively.. the teaching, practice, promotion
and presentation of concerts and other activities of a charitable nature which will promote this art.
Summary of activitiès..
Northern Steel Nelwork (NSN) was fomied as an indepèndent charty on 1 st March, 2016, to lake on
the work of the Sleelbands North project of North Tyneside Steelband, with trustees drawn from
several steel bands in the region. The charity became registered with the Charity Commission on
17th May, 2016.
NSN does not have a pemianent base, and operat8s in thè North of England. mainly in North
Tyneside. Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Northumberland.

NORTHERN STEEL NETWORK (Charity No 1167154)
TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER, 2023
ObJectiv•s and Activities (continued)
Summary of activities {continued)'.
Northern Steel Network INSNI organises regional steel pan activities.. Northern Steel Orchestra, an
annual Festival of Steelbands, steel pan workshops, C¢>ordination of steel pan tuning visits and the
provision of networking and infomiation. NSN also owns and maintains three sets of instruments
for use by sGhools and education authorities throughout the North of England.
The flagship activity is Northern Steel Orchestra (NSO}, which gives talented young 51eel pan
musicians across the Northern region the opportunity to play at an adVan￿d level and have wider
performancE opportunities, particularly at a nalional level. NSN promotes its activilies via its
website, www.northemsteelnetwork.org, and via its fa￿book pages, Northern Steel Net￿rk and
Northern Steel OrGhestra.
Trustees have considered the guidan￿ issued by the Charity Commission wth regard to public
benefit. including the guidance on fee charging. The charity relies on a mixture of subscriptions,
donations, grants, workshop fees and ¢ost recharges to support its activities. The subscriplion for
players in the orchestra1£30 per annum) covers a very small proportion of the orchestra's costs,
and trustees consider that this level of subscription is appropriate and does not discourage
potenlial players. Small charges are also made to attend steel pan workshops.
Achievements and Perfomiance
NSN'S regular activÉiies came to a halt in March 2020 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and
subsequent govemment restrictions. NSN was unable to organise any activities throughout the
rernainder of 2020 and for most of 2021 and 2022, as it had no access to inslruments and venues
remained closed or unavailable for use. Even after venues began to reopen in September 2021,
NSN was unable to resume most of its regular activities as a result of restriGlions by venues. These
restrictions were eased in September 2022 and NSN resumed its work with the region's steel pan
musicians in 2023.
In March, NSN organised a workshop weekend, giving players of all ages and abilities in North-
East bands access to high quality tuition from a leading nalional tutor. The intensive sessions,
spread over days, were attended by 82 players. In October, NSN organised another successful
workshop weekend, this time attended by 108 players. NSN'S outreach instruments remained in
use in schools throughout 2023.
NSN still has ambitious plans to expand its aclivities, with an extended Festival of Steelbands and
an intention for 8 re-formed NSO to play at Junior Panorama again. Fortunately, NSN'S key
funders have agreed to support postponed activities, and NSN is looking fO￿ard to putting its
plans into practice with a full programme of events.
Encouragingly, a total of 137 individuals participated in NSN activities during thè year.
NSN is a member of Making Music and Sound Sense and the British Association of Steelbands,
has links wilh North Tyneside VODA and works closely with local steel bands in the North-East.

NORTHERN STEEL NETWORK (Charity No 1167154)
TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER, 2023
Financial Revlew
TrLSStees consider that it is appropriate to hold cash reserves equivalent in value to one year's
expenditure, to meet fluctuations in income and expenditure and to provide funds to replace assets
as necessary. The total amount of reserves carried forward at the end of the year was £20,481.85,
which consisted of £3,002.03 in restricted income funds and £17,459.82 in unrestrtcted funds. The
financial performance during the year was satisfactory, given the gradual return to no￿81 activities.
In March 2020, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent government restrictions, the
harity became unable to carry out almost all of its normal activities. The Gharity was able to
resume some activities in September 2021 and these were expanded during 2023. Trustees
gratefully acknowledge the donations of £4,000.00 from the Freemasons of Northumberland and
£14.00 from Dave Edwards and also the continuing support from th6 Readman Family Grassroots
Fund at the Community Foundation SeNing Tyne & Wear and Northumberland, The D'oyly Carte
Charitable Trust and the Freemasons of Northumberland, who have all agreed to support
postponed activilies. As a result of this, the charity remains in a strong short-term financial position.
The chartty is heavily reliant on income from donations and grants, without which it would be unable
to carry out most of its main activities.
Truslees have reviewed the charity's operations and plan to offer as full a range of activities as
possible within the constraints of the grant funding available and donations received.
Signed on behalf of the Trustees by=
l.m. Gilberg
Chairman and Treasurer
15th October, 2024
M. Darling
Trustee
15th October, 2024

NORTHERN STEEL NETWORK (Charity No 1167154>
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER. 2023
Responsibilities and Basis of Report
I report to the Trustees of Northem Steel Network (Charity No 1167154) {the Charity) on the
financial statements for the year ended 31 st December, 2023, set OLrt on pages 5 to 8.
As charity trustees of the Charity, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in
accordance with the requirements of the Char¢ties Act 2011 {the Charities Act).
I report in respect of my examination of the Charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the
Charities Act and, in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions
given by the Charty Commission under section 14515}{b} of the Charities Act.
Independent Exarninerfs 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 matérial respect,
{1 } accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the
Charities Act- or
{2} the accounts do not accord with those records., or
(3) the accounts do not comply wth the applicable requirements conceming 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.
Signed=
R.G.F. Garrard
22 Northcote Street
South Shields
NE33 4BY
29th October, 2024

NORTHERN STEEL NETWORK (Charity No 1167154)
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER, 2023
Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31st December, 2023
Unrestricted Restricted
funds
funds
Total
2023
Total
2022
Notè
INCOME
Grants
Donations
Subscriptions
Workshops
Outreach Pans Hire
Trailer Hire
Sundry Income
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
4,014.00
0.00
1,190.00
1,700.00
0.00
0.00
6,904.00
2,500.00
32.80
0.00
0.00
2,000.00
0.00
0.00
4,532.80
4.014.00
0.00
1,190.00
1.700.00
0.00
0.00
6,904.00
EXPENDITURE
TuitionlSupeTvision
Rehearsals Costs
Perforniances Costs
Festival Costs
Workshops Costs
Arts Award S¢heme Costs
Use of Instruments
Instrument Tuninglmaintenance
Trailer Repairslmaintenance
Insurance
Premises
Promotion
Stationery
Grant for NASSO
Sundry Expenses
Depreciation
1,060.48
0.00
0.00
0.00
129.52
0.00
0.00
-67.96
383.41
188.57
0.00
0.00
6.00
0.00
115.70
0.00
1,815.72
1,112.91
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
1,112.91
2,173.39
0.00
0.00
0.00
129.52
0.00
0.00
-67.96
383.41
188.57
0.00
0.00
6.00
0.00
115.70
0.00
2,928.63
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
443.74
0.00
184.60
0.00
0.00
2.20
2,500.00
117.78
0.00
3,248.32
NET INCOMEI{EXPENDITURE}
TOTAL FUNDS brought foNiard
TOTAL FUNDS carried fomrd
5,088.28 -1,112.91
3,975.37
1,284.48
12,371.54
4,114.94 18,486.48
15,202.00
17,459.82
3,002.03 20,461.85
16,486.48

NORTHERN STEEL NETWORK (Charity No 1167154}
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER, 2023
Balance Sheet at 31st Decèmber, 2023
Total
2023
Total
2022
Note
TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
0.00
0.00
CURRENT ASSETS
Prepayments and Accrued Income
Cash at Bank
Cash in Hand
887.32
19,013.69
594.08
20,495.09
1,056.69
15,638.45
619.05
17,314.19
LIABILITIES- AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
Accruals and Deferred Income
33.24
33.24
827.71
827.71
NET CURRENT ASSETS
20,461.85
16.486.48
TOTAL ASSETS less CURRENT LIABILITIES
20,461.85
16,486.48
NET ASSETS
20,461.85
16,486.48
Representing..
RESTRICTED INCOME FUNDS
Player Development Fund
The D'oyly Carte Charitable Trust Fund
0.00
3,002.03
3,002.03
414.94
3,700.00
4,114.94
UNRESTRICTED FUNDS
AGGumulated Fund
17,459.82
17,459.82
12,371.54
12,371.54
TOTAL FUNDS
20,461.85
16,486.48
Signed on behalf of the TNstees by..
I.M. GILBERG
Chairman and Treasurer
15th October, 2024
M. DARLING
Trustee
15th October, 2024

NORTHERN STEEL NETWORK (Charity No 11671541
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER, 2023
Notes to the Financial Statemonts
1. éasis of preparation
These financial statements have been prepared on the basis of historic cost in accordance with
Accounting and Reporting by Charities - Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP FRS 102)
and the Charities Act 2011.
There are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concem.
Income is recognised on the date of supply in respect of goods and 5etvices supplied and on the
date of receipt in respect of donations and grants re￿ived. Donated goods, facilities and servic85
are recognised as income on the date of receipt at their fair value. (See note 6.)
Expenditure is recognised on the date Ihat an obligation to make a payment arises.
There has been no change to the accounting policies since last year.
No changes have been made to financial slatements for previous years.
2. Trustee payments
In 2023, the following Trustee provided paid tuition and other seNices to the charity in accordan
with the Charities Act 2011 and the charity s constitution..
Jenny Gilberg
£848.75 {2022, NIL}, of which NIL was unpaid at the end of the year.
3. Trustee expenses
In 2023, 2 trustees were reimbursed for travelling and other expenses totalling £46.25 (2022, 2
trustees, £51.47).
4. Fee for examination of the financial statements
For 2023, a gift valued at £11.00 will be provided for the independent examiner {2022, gift, £10.00).
5. Staff
No staff were employed during the period.
6. Donated goods, facilities and services
In 2023, NIL was recognised as income (the free use of premises valued at NIL)12022, NIL (the
free use of premises valued at NIL)).
7. Newcastle All Slars Stèel Orchestra
In 2022, the charity acted as an intermediary to facilitate Ihe payment of £2,500.00 by The Gillian
Dickinson Charitable Trust to Newcastle All Stars Steel Orchestra. The amoun* is shown in income
as a restricted grant and in expenditure as a granl for NASSO.

NORTHERN STEEL NETWORK (Charity No 1167154)
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER, 2023
Notes to the Financial Statements Icontlnuedl
8. Flxed assets
Instruments
Trailer
Total
COST I ACQUISITION VALUE
Balance brought forward
Additions
(Disposals)
Balance carried forward
ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
Balance brought foryvard
Dep￿CiatIon charge for year
(Disposals)
Balance carried forward
NET BOOK VALUE
Brought forward
Carried fO￿ard
20,000.00
1,000.00 21,000.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
20,000.00 1,OIJO.00 21,000.00
20,000.00 1,000.00 21,000.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0,00
0.00
0.00
20,000.00 1,000.00 21.000.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
Depreciation is calculated on a straight line basis at 250h per annum.