**HUNTINGDONSHIRE MUSIC SCHOOL** 

**TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2021/22** 

## **1. Introduction** 

- 1.1 This is the sixth annual report by the trustees of the Huntingdonshire  Music  School.   The  Music  School  became  a charitable incorporated organisation in August 2016. 

- 1.2 Following  relocation  from  the  former  Huntingdonshire  Regional College to Hinchingbrooke School in September 2016, the Music School  has  now  completed  its  sixth  full  year  of  operation  as  a registered charity managed by a board of trustees. 

## **2. Present Position** 

- 2.1 The previous annual report explained the devastating effect that the Covid  19  pandemic  has  had  on  the  Music  School.   It  was  not possible to offer face-to-face music tuition with effect from March 2020  onwards.   Lessons  continued  on-line  for  some  time  but  a difficult decision was taken in the summer of 2021 to discontinue musical tuition as there were insufficient students who wished to return in the autumn term to make the Music School financially viable.   Furthermore,  both  the  Manager  and  Development  and Excellence Adviser had announced that they would not be returning after  the  summer  term  and  Hinchingbrooke  School  where  the Music  School  had  provided  lessons  on  Saturday  mornings  until lockdown had indicated that they were no longer able to accommodate  the  Music  School  for  lessons/ensembles  when the autumn term began, although they continued to provide storage. 

- 2.2 Trustees subsequently have explored the possibility of continuing with ensembles if new leaders could be found but every enquiry in trying to attract new leaders has proved fruitless.  Discussions also have been held with other music groups in Huntingdonshire about the possibility of a merger but again it has not been possible to make any progress. 

- 2.3 While the Music School’s musical instruments, equipment and sheet music were still being stored at Hinchingbrooke School, trustees remained hopeful of being able to continue with the Music School in some format.  However, in the summer of 2022 Hinchingbrooke advised that all of the equipment had to be removed at short notice as they required the storage room for their own use.  Alternative storage fortunately was found and the equipment was relocated by trustees. 

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- 2.4 At the time of the last annual report, the only ensemble remaining under the umbrella of the Music School was the Big Band which had been rehearsing separately since 2019.  Trustees concluded in 2022 that there was little advantage in the Big Band remaining a part of the Music School and they became a separate organisation that year, severing all links with the Music School. 

## **3. 2023** 

- 3.1 The sole remnant of the Music School is the trustees who have continued to meet.  However, early in the current year three of the remaining trustees resigned leaving eight in total. 

- 3.2 As music tuition had ceased and enquiries into the formation of new ensembles had not been successful, trustees decided that there was little point in continuing to pay for storage for the instruments and other  equipment.   The  lease  of  the  storage  unit  was  therefore terminated  in  January  2023  and  trustees  have  been  actively disposing of the instruments and equipment at the best price that could be achieved. 

- 3.3 Trustees have decided reluctantly that there is no future for the Music School with all enquiries into finding a new format having been unsuccessful.  Moreover, there is no telling what effect the current high rate of inflation and financial situation would have had on the ability of students and families to afford lessons even if a new way forward had been found. 

- 3.4 With so few trustees remaining and no other members, an annual general meeting has not been held since February 2022. 

- 3.5 The  Music  School  does  have reserves  as can  be seen  from  the accounts submitted and the trustees are now investigating ways of disposing of those assets in accordance with Charity Commission guidelines before finally closing the charity and bringing to an end over 50 years of the Huntingdonshire Music School. 

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Huntingdonshire Music School Registered Charity 1167800 

## **Combined Education & Events Accounts Accounts and Balance Sheet for year 1 September 2021- 31 August 2022** 

|Transactions||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||£|£|£||£|£|£|
|Income|Education|Events|Total|Expenditure|Education|Events|Total|
|Big Band||1,000.00|1,000.00|Big Band||1,364.00|1,364.00|
|Float & Petty cash|26.43||26.43|Equipment|642.60|13.99|656.59|
|Second hand Music||56.60|56.60|Insurance|137.00||137.00|
|||||Ofce running costs|454.98||454.98|
|**Total Income**|**26.43**|**1,056.60**|**1,083.03**|**Total Expenditure**|**1,234.58**|**1,377.99**|**2,612.57**|
|**Balance Sheet**||||||||
|Balance brought forward at 01/09/2021|9,716.98|6,783.80|16,500.78|Closing Balance as at 31/08/2022|8,508.83|6,462.41|14,971.24|
|**Balance**|**9,743.41**|**7,840.40**|**17,583.81**|**Balance**|**9,743.41**|**7,840.40**|**17,583.81**|



I confirm that this is a true and fair view of the accounts 

Signed_________________________________________ 

Date ______________________________ 

Auditor