2024-06-30-accounts

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES

Trustees' Annual Report for the period

From 01-07-23 To 30-06-24

Charity name: Cumbria Rural Choirs CIO

Charity registration number: 1168081

Objectives and Activities

	SORPreference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set outinits governing document	Para1.17	Toeducate the public in the arts and sciences andinparticular the art ofscience of music by the presentation of concerts and other activities.
Summary of the main activitiesin relationto those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities,projectsor servicesidentified in the accounts.	Para1.17and 1.19	Cumbria Rural Choirs is made up of singers from local choirs and individuals living in ruralcommunities acrossNorth Cumbria.Thelong-term strategycontinues to be the development of the choral singing techniques to achieve the highest possible standard of performance. The choir's repertoire focuses on large scale, complex choral workswhich,often, would be too demanding for thelocalchoirs to undertake on their own.Itsengagement of an internationally renowned music director to lead the rehearsalsand conductthe concert, enables all participants to broaden and develop their musical skills. It also provides theopportunityfor audiences to hearchoralmusic, accompanied by a professionalorchestraandsoloists, rarely performed outside large urban conurbations.Cumbria Rural Choirs representsaunique professional /amateur partnership which enhances Cumbria's music sceneandprovides enormous benefits for the Cumbriancommunity, through the highstandardthatitachieves. It helps to counteract rural isolation and the lackofaccessto high qualityeducational and culturalprovision in ruralcommunities.
Statement confirming whetherthe trustees have hadregardto theguidance issued bythe Charity	Para 1.18	The Trusteesconfirmthat they have referred to the guidancecontainedin the Charity Commission's general guidanceon public benefitwhenreviewinqthe Charity's

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Commission on public benefit

aims and objectives and in planning future activities.

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 ofits beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole.	Para1.20	The Choir held its AGM in November 2023 having started the season in September. This was the second year under the new format of the guest conductor also being theguest musicaldirector.This year the post was again filled by Dr Andrew Padmore. Rehearsals were changedto 4 full days on Saturdays whichresulted in longer and more concentrated periods of learning and singing.This was supported by on-linematerialsupplied by Andrew enabling members to improve their singing technique and also tolearn their part. This greatly enhanced thelearning experience. The outcome was a very successful performanceIn Carlisle Cathedral in April ofElgar’s ‘The Music Makers’; Faure’s Requiem and ‘Cantique de Racine’.It was attended by about 375 people ranging in ages from 10 - 90+ years. Very positive reviews were received via e mailfollowing the performance. The choir members also provided very positive written feedback regarding their experience of singing in the cathedral and the rehearsals led by Andrew.

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Financial Review

Financial Review
Reviewofthecharity's financial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21	Due to the increases in membership, it had been expected that the choirwould'break even', but thecostof staging and other increases in essential expenditure for the concert resulted in a loss. The Charity, however, still has a healthy bank balance which exceeds the minimum reserve.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Para 1.22	The Trustees have set a minimum target for unrestricted reserves of 6 months running costs. Theyare held so as to keep the Charity afloat inemergencies,such as Covid-19, and to enable the commissioning of new work to takeplacein advance of income comingin.
Amountofreserves held	Para1.22	Unrestricted funds held of £6,883

Additional information (optional)

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The charity's principal sources of funds (including anyfundraising)	Para1.47	The Charity receives income from the followingsources: - Memberssubscriptions - Donations - Grants - Incomefrom events held - Legacies
A description of the principal risks facing thecharity	Para1.46	Theprincipalriskisthe return ofCovid-19 andgovernment restrictions on meetings which means that renewed activity would oncemore go into abeyance and/or members wouldfeelunable tocontinueand audiences would not beabletoattend concerts.

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Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity's trusts:
Typeof governing document	Para1.25	Constitution
How is the charity constituted?	Para1.25	CIO Association
Trusteeselection 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	Para1.25	Trustees are appointed by the members at the AGM. Trusteesmay co-opt people asTrustees.

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	Cumbria Rural Choirs
Other name the charity uses	CRC
Registered charity number	1168081
Charity's principaladdress	16Byrnes Close Plumpton Penrith CA11 9PE

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Names of the charity trustees who manage the d)arity Dat•¥ 4¢t•d If n¢t forwhol• rrustèe Office lif 4nyl Name of P¢f50n lor body) ettt1t￿d to aoo•lnt Irustee Ifan Mrs A Bisl)op Mr G Bowles Secretsry Mrs F Payn8 Mrs E Dunning Mr8 M Ferriby Mrs K Pinfold ppointed 25tr) Nov 2023 Booking Secretary Mr C N Rlchés Treasurer Dr M Rlch95 Chair Dr C Thomson ppolnled 25th Nov 2023 Roslgned 25th Nov 2023 10 11 Mr S Wagstaff Mr8 J Wrlght Declarations The trust•88 deGlar• that th•y hav• approv•d th• trustem. report abov•. Slgn•d on b•half of th• charlty's trust••s Slgnatur•{s) Full nam•(s) P051tlon (eg Secretary. Chalr, •lc) Cllve Nigel Rlches Treagurer Dat• Paga5

	Cumbria Rural Choirs CIO	Cumbria Rural Choirs CIO	Cumbria Rural Choirs CIO	Cumbria Rural Choirs CIO			1168081
	Receipts andpayments accounts								CC16a
	For the period from	For the period		01-Jul-23		To	30-Jun-24
Section A Receipts and payments
	Unrestricted funds			Restricted funds		Endowment funds	Total funds		Last year
	to the nearest £			to the nearest £		to the nearest £	to the nearest £		to the nearest £
A1 Receipts
Donations 3,159 - - 3,159 1,540 Auction - - - - 1,863 Gift aid 1,520 - - 1,520 480 Fundraising 1,335 - - 1,335 1,622 Grants - 1,000 - 1,000 3,610 Singers Subscriptions 8,370 - - 8,370 6,140 Music for a Summer evening - - - - 585 Sing around the lake 1,319 - - 1,319 - Ticket Sales 5,215 - - 5,215 4,646 Choral Day 2,265 - - 2,265 - Programme Sales and Advertising 1,020 - - 1,020 1,313 Ukraine appeal - - - - 150 Interest 33 - - 33 - Other 375 - - 375 49 Sub total(Gross income for AR)24,611 1,000 - 25,611 21,998 Total receipts 24,611 1,000 - 25,611 21,998 ~~Sr~~
A3 Payments
Come and sing day 1,392 - - 1,392 100 Sing around the lake 238 - - 238 - Music for a summer evening - - - - 704 Choral director and expenses 5,838 - - 5,838 5,597 Orchestra/Singers/Soloists 1,700 - - 1,700 1,675 Accompanist 808 - - 808 838 Performance and Rehearsal Halls 1,535 - - 1,535 2,540 Concert 13,648 1,000 - 14,648 10,005 Music Hire 1,408 - - 1,408 200 Advertising, Publicity, printing and stationery 1,777 - - 1,777 1,803 Bank Charges 62 - - 62 77 Insurance 581 - - 581 288 Donation - - - - 150 Other 860 - - 860 894 Sub total 29,847 1,000 - 30,847 24,871 Total payments 29,847 1,000 - 30,847 24,871 Net of receipts/(payments) (5,236) - - (5,236) (2,873) A5 Transfers between funds - - - - - A6 Cash funds last year end 12,119 - - 12,119 14,992 Cash funds this year end 6,883 - - 6,883 12,119 ~~i~~

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Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unr•siricted Restricted funds funds to neaTe$t£ Endowment funds to neorest£ lo neare51£ B1 Cash fund$ Bk Cuyml Asc￿￿￿1 Total cash fund8 6,883 Unrestricted funds to nAarst£ Rèstrict•d funds Endowment fund5 to nearestt Fund to whkh ¢ost1optlonal) Curnt valuè B3 Invg•lm?nt as8ets Fund to￿l6h agut bèlon (Jeip.ils ¢o¥t lopl10n￿l Cuirenl value B4 Assets retalned for the charlty'$ own us• Fund to wfftleh Ik•bll r9101 Amount ¢1 %Vh¢n on BS Llabllltl•J5 S*n•d by on• or truste8• on bghaifolall the tsustee3 Slgnalure Print Nam8 Dats of roval el R￿￿•9

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLANO AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Indèpendent Examiner's Report Report to the trustees Cumbria Rural Cholrs CIO On accounts for the year ended 30 June 2024 Charity no (If any) 1168081 Set out on pagas 1to7 I report to th8 trustees on my examination of the accourits of the above charfty (Ihe Trusf) for the year ended 3010612024. R•sponslbllltlgs and basis of report As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charitias Act 2011 (Ihe Acr). I report in respo￿ of my axamination of the Trust's accounts carried out under sectlon 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examinatlon, I have followed all the applicable Dlrectlons glv8n by th8 Ch8rlty Commlssion und@r sectlon 145(5)(b) of the ACL Indepand8nt I havo complatgd my examination. I confirm that no mat8ri81 matters have examlnor's statement come to my attention In connection with the examination which gives me caus8 to b8118V8 that in, any materlal re8P8Ct: the a￿ountIng records were not kept In accordance with section 130 of the Chariti8s Act,, or the accounts dld not accord with tho accountlng racords; or the accounts dld not comply with the applicable requirements conceming th8 form and wntent of accounts s8t out In the Chariti8S (Accounts and Reports) Rogulatiorls 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fairf vlew whlch is not a matter consldered as part of an Independent examlnatlon. I hav6 no concems and have come a¢ro88 no other matters In connection with the examination to which attentSon should be drawn In thls report in order to enable a proper understsnding of the accounts to be reached. Slgned. Date: Name: Andrew Benson Relevant professional quallflcatlon{s) or b¢)dy (if any): FCA ICAEW Address: 89 Pennyhill Park Penrlth CA119JW