2024-07-31-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 1 August 2023 Period start date To 31 July 2024 Period end date

Charity name: Hastings Storytelling Festival

Charity registration number: 1168229

Objectives and Activities

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	For the public benefit to promote the arts and advance education in the arts in East Sussex particularly but not exclusively by: • Celebrating and promoting the art of the spoken word; • Advancing and encouraging literacy through storytelling – especially for young people; • Hosting storytelling events in diverse venues and by engaging new audiences; and • Organising and delivering an annual storytelling festival.
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	Hastings Storytelling Festival 2023 was the second year for Patron Lauren Child who again generously donated a cover design and created the theme of ‘Discover…’. The programme was a mix of new commissions, local shows and touring shows. The festival programme ran across nine days with an additional schools’ outreach programme. The festival delivered a large scale community outreach programme in partnership with artists from Zeroh for children and families on Broomgrove housing estate. The general programme included a mix of performances for adults and children including - new local commission Bev Lee Harling’s ‘Ploughing the Salt Sea’ and national partner Adverse Camber’s tour of ‘The Gods are all Here’ by Phil Okwedy. Other adult performances included a welcome return by Billy Childish and the Chatham Singers. Lucy Hopkins’ show ‘Dark Mother’ and Tasneem Abdur-Rashid presented her book with a Bangladeshi woman protagonist. Childrens events were popular (and free) too; The beautiful puppet show ‘Wow said the owl’ by Little Angel Theatre reached pupils and later

		public at Sandown Primary School. Jordan Stephens (of Rizzle Kicks) and Beth Suzanna introduced ‘The Missing Piece’ at Hastings Library. Out of the Bag Theatre developed a new show – ‘Is it a Dragon?’ and Thomas Taylor spoke about his series ‘Eerie on Sea’ based on Hastings. The popular Childrens Day with ten performances and a Children’s Carnival welcomed schools’ involvement. The schools programme in 2023 reached eight schools with artists in residence, storytellers in residence and a partnership with National Literacy Trust who brought authors EM Norry and Kate Pankhurst to schools.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	Para 1.18	All trustees are aware of the guidance and have taken it into account when making a decision to which the guidance is relevant.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

	SORP reference
Policy on grant making	Para 1.38	The festival continued to seek government support at both national (Arts Council England) and local level (Hastings Borough Council). This was bolstered through local initiatives such as the support from the Hastings’ Big Local and the Sussex Community Foundation, and other grant making organisations.
Policy on social investment including program related investment	Para 1.38
Contribution made by volunteers	Para 1.38	Three patrons supported the festival: Lauren Child, Inua Ellams, and Thomas Taylor. Sir Quentin Blake was retained as a founding Patron. The Trustees meet all year round in a voluntary capacity. Trustees and subgroups invest valuable additional time between meetings. A network of teachers also twice throughout the year to plan how to best support the festival within local schools. Children’s Day recruited valuable support from additional local volunteers.
Other

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 charity delivered eight school sessions, two in partnership with National Literacy Trust. These activities culminated in Children’s Day with free storytelling, activities, and children’s parade led by Mahogany Carnival Arts (Notting Hill Carnival). The schools programme delivered nine sessions in eight schools and reached approximately 500 children. Improving children’s literacy by reaching children in schools remains at the heart of the Charity’s aims. Six teachers were involved with a Diversity Book Club with producers 18 Hours, and author Zanib Mian. The installation on Broomgrove working with artists ‘Zeroh’ engaged more than 150 children who would otherwise not have engaged with the festival.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Achievements against objectives set	Para 1.41
Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set	Para 1.41
Investment performance against objectives	Para 1.41
Other

Financial Review

Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21	HSF– Financial Review 01.08.2023- 31.07.2024

		The total charitable income relating to the accounting period was £70,342 and is made up of the following: Public Funding: £51,851 This year’s festival, and associated events within the year, received the following public grants: £50,851 from Arts Council England with the balance of £1,000 being made up of small grants from Hastings Borough Council. These grants went towards artistic expenditure (£20,374) plus key overheads including advertising & marketing and the festival development/production. Charitable Grants/Donations: £13,366 We received the following grants: £5,000 from the Foyle Foundation plus £1,066 from Hastings Big Local towards Children’s Day costs. £2,000 from The Isabel Blackman Foundation and £3,500 from Chalk Cliff Trust towards artistic expenditure. We also received £1,000 from the Sussex Community Foundation and £800 from Magdalen and Lasher towards school outreach work. Income generation: £5,125 Ticket sales to events (£3,196), book & bag sales (£1,263), sponsorship by two local businesses for advertising in the festival programme (£600), and donations (£66).
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Para 1.22	We do not have reserves as such. End of year balance is funds left over to be put towards the development & production of next year’s festival.
Amount of reserves held	Para 1.22	We had a bank balance of £10,280 at year-end
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	n/a

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

The charity’s principal sources of funds (including Para 1.47 any fundraising) Para 1.46

Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted
A description of the principal risks facing the charity	Para 1.46

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter)	Para 1.25	Trust deed
How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO)	Para 1.25	CIO
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	At AGM and/or by invitation

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees	Para 1.51
The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works	Para 1.51
Relationship with any related parties	Para 1.51
Other

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	Hastings Storytelling Festival
Other name the charity uses
Registered charity number	1168229
Charity’s principal address	31 Station Road Bexhill TN40 1RG

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8	Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany)
	Lorna Crabbe		n/a
	Sandra Garner	Chair	n/a
	Emma Hughes		n/a
	Kate Francis		n/a
	Hilary Lissenden		n/a
	Rounaq Uddin		n/a
	Richard Street		From June 23

– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved

Director name n/a

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name	**Dates acted if not for whole year **
	n/a
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets held in this capacity	n/a
Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects	n/a
Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets	n/a

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Type of Name Address adviser

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

n/a

Other optional information

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)[Kate Francis ]

Position (eg Secretary, Secretary Chair, etc)

Date 18/03/2024

The Charity Registration Number is :- 1168229

Hastings Storytelling Festival

Report and Accounts

31 July 2024

Hastings Storytelling Festival

Report and accounts for the year ended 31 July 2024

Contents

	Page
Independent Examiner's Report to Trustees	3
Funds Statements:-
Statement of Financial Activities	4
Balance sheet	5
Notes to the accounts	6 - 8

Hastings Storytelling Festival

Trustees' Annual Report for the year ended 31 July 2024

The Trustees present their Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 July 2024.

Reference and administrative details

The charity name.

The legal name of the charity is:- Hastings Storytelling Festival

The charity is also known by its operating name,

The charity's areas operation and UK charitable registration.

The charity is registered in England & Wales with the Charity Commission in England & Wales (CCEW) with charity number 1168229

Legal structure of the charity

The governing document of the charity is the Trust Deed establishing the charity. The Governing Document is dated 14 July 2016

The trustees are all individuals.

The principal operating address, telephone number, email and web addresses of the charity

31 Station Road

The Old Coroners Bexhill-On-Sea TN40 1RG

The Trustees in office on the date the report was approved were:-

R Street S Garner R Uddin K Francis Y O'Connor H Lissenden L Crabbe

Trustees discuss suitable Hastings Story Telling Festival members bearing in mind the legal rules on eligibility, skills and knowledge, who are approached and if the member is in agreement the reccomnendation is taken to general committee for proposal. The member is given induction material including the governing document, accounts and previous meetings minutes.

Objects and activities of the charity

The purposes and activities of the charity as set out in its governing document.

The chairty operates under a formal structure.

The trustees have considered the Charity Comission's guidance on 'public benefit, including the guidance 'public benefit: running a chairty (PB2)'. For the public benefit to promote the arts and advance education in the arts in East Sussex particuarly but not exclusively by:

• Celebrating and promoting the art of the spoken word:

• Advancing and encouraging literacy through storytelling - especially for young people.

• Hosting storytelling events in diverse venues and by engaging new audiences; and

• Organising and delivering an annual storytelling festival.

Structure, governance and management of the charity

The Trustees meet monthly during each year to discuss the performance of the Charity and make decisions as appropriate.

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Hastings Storytelling Festival

Trustees' Annual Report for the year ended 31 July 2024

The charity's financial position at the end of the year ended 31 July 2024

The financial position of the charity at 31 July 2024 and comparatives for the prior period, as more fully detailed in the accounts, can be summarised as follows:-

2024 £ Net income 10,354

The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the terms of the Charities Act 2011 and the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Notwithstanding the explicit requirement in the extant statutory regulations,the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008, to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the SORP 2005, in view of the fact that the SORP 2005 has been withdrawn, the Trustees determined to interpret this responsibility as requiring them to follow current best practice and prepare the accounts according to the FRS 102 SORP (Statement of Recommended Practice for Accounting and Reporting by Charities) 2015 (as amended by the Bulletin issued in February 2016) .

In particular, charity law requires the Trustees, if they prepare accounts on an accruals basis, to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity as at the end of the financial year and of the surplus or deficit of the charity. In preparing those financial statements the Trustees are required to :-

• to prepare the accounts in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law).

• select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;

• make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

• prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business;

• state whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;

The law requires that the trustees must not approve the accounts unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the surplus or deficit of the charity for the year.

S Garner Trustee 3rd December 2024

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Hastings Storytelling Festival Independent Examiner's Report 31 July 2024

I report on the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31st July 2024, which are set out on pages 4 and 5.

Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner

The Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. You consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

• examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;

• to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and

• to state whether particular matters have come to my attention."

Basis of Independent Examiners Report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission.An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent Examiners Report

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements:

• to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act

• to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records, comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act

have not been met; or

(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Mr D Talbot Director, FCCA Frampton & Co Chartered Certified Accountants 37 Station Road Bexhill East Sussex TN40 1RG

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Hastings Storytelling Festival - Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 July 2024

Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 July 2024

Income & Endowments from: Donations & Legacies A1 Charitable activities A2 Grant Income A4 Total income A Expenditure on: Raising funds B1 Charitable activities B2 Total expenditure B Net income for the year Transfers between funds C Net income after transfers A-B-C Reconciliation of funds:- E Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward SORP Ref Net movement in funds	Current year Unrestricted Funds 2024 £ - -	Current year Restricted Funds 2024 £ 66 5,059 65,217	Current year Endowment Funds 2024 £ - - - - - - - -	Current year Total Funds 2024 £ 66 5,059 65,217	Prior Year Total Funds 2023 £ 218 3,580 63,488
	-	70,342		70,342	67,286
		59,988		- 59,988	- 67,005
	-	59,988		59,988	67,005
	-	10,354		10,354 -	281 -
	-	10,354		10,354	281
	-	10,354 452		10,354 452	281 171
	-	10,806		10,806	452

The 'SORP Ref' indicated above is the classification of income set out in the formal SORP documents. As required by paragraph 4.60 of the SORP, the brought forward and carried forward funds above have been agreed to the Balance Sheet.

All activities derive from continuing operations

The notes attached on pages 6 to 8 form an integral part of these accounts.

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Hastings Storytelling Festival - Balance Sheet as at 31 July 2024

Notes SORP Ref 2024 £ Fixed assets A Tangible assets A2 - . Current assets B Debtors B2 526 Cash at bank and in hand B4 10,280 Total current assets 10,806 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 2 C1 Net current assets 10,806 The total net assets of the charity 10,806 The total net assets of the charity are funded by the funds of the charity, as follows:-	2023 £ - - 2,238 2,238 (1,786) 452 452	2023 £ - - 2,238 2,238 (1,786) 452 452
		452

Restricted funds Restricted Fixed Asset Funds D2 Unrestricted Funds Unrestricted Revenue Funds D3 Total charity funds	10,806	10,806 - - 10,806	452	452 -
	-		-
				452

The 'SORP Ref' indicated above is the classification of Balance Sheet items as set out in the formal SORP documents. As required by paragraph 4.60 of the SORP, the brought forward and carried forward funds above have been agreed to the SOFA.

The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of charity legislation with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.

Y O'Connor

Trustee Approved by the board of trustees on 3rd December 2024

The notes attached on pages 6 to 8 form an integral part of these accounts.

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Hastings Storytelling Festival

Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 July 2024

1 Accounting policies

Policies relating to the production of the accounts.

Basis of preparation and accounting convention

The accounts have been prepared on the accruals basis, under the historical cost convention, and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard 102, (effective 1st January 2016) and 'FRS 102 SORP (Statement of Recommended Practice for Accounting and Reporting by Charities) 2015 (as amended by the Bulletin issued in February 2016) published by the Charity Commission in England & Wales (CCEW) ,effective January 2016, (The SORP), and in accordance with all applicable law in the charity's jurisdiction of registration.

Going Concern

At the time of approving the accounts, the Trustees have 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 accounts.

Restricted and Unrestricted Funds

Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of charity. Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the charity which the trustees have decided at their discretion to set aside to use for a specific purpose. Restricted funds are donations which the donor has specified are to be solely used for particular areas of the charities work or for specific artistic projects being undertaken by the charity.

Significant judgements, key assumptions and estimates

The preparation of the accounts in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the accounts and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from these estimates. The key estimates and assumptions used in these financial statements are set out in the accounting policies notes included the additional policy notes within these accounts such as for depreciation.

Policies relating income recognition.

Income recognition

Income, whether from exchange or non exchange transactions, is recognised in the statement of financial activities (SOFA) on a receivable basis, when a transaction or other event results in an increase in the charity’s assets or a reduction in its liabilities and only when the charity has legal entitlement, the income is probable and can be measured reliably.

Income subject to terms and conditions which must be met before the charity is entitled to the resources is not recognised until the conditions have been met.

All income is accounted for gross, before deducting any related fees or costs.

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Hastings Storytelling Festival

Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 July 2024

Accounting for deferred income and income received in advance

Where terms and conditions relating to income have not been met or uncertainty exists as to whether the charity can meet any terms or conditions otherwise within its control, income is not recognised but is deferred as a liability until it is probable that the terms or conditions imposed can be met.

Any grant that is subject to performance-related conditions received in advance of delivering the goods and services required by that condition, or is subject to unmet conditions wholly outside the control of the recipient charity, is accounted for as a liability and shown on the balance sheet as deferred income. Deferred income is released to income in the reporting period in which the performance-related or other conditions that limit recognition are met.

When income from a grant or donation has not been recognised due to the conditions applying to the gift not being wholly within the control of the recipient charity, it is disclosed as a contingent asset if receipt of the grant or donation is probable once those conditions are met.

Where time related conditions are imposed or implied by a funder, then the income is apportioned to the time periods concerned, and, where applicable, is accounted for as a liability and shown on the balance sheet as deferred income. When grants are received in advance of the expenditure on the activity funded by them, but there are no specific time related conditions, then the income is not deferred.

Any condition that allows for the recovery by the donor of any unexpended part of a grant does not prevent recognition of the income concerned, but a liability to any repayment is recognised when repayment becomes probable.

Policies relating to expenditure on goods and services provided to the charity.

Recognition of liabilities and expenditure

A liability, and the related expenditure, is recognised when a legal or constructive obligation exists as a result of a past event, and when it is more likely than not that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and when the amount of the obligation can be measured or reliably estimated.

Liabilities arising from future funding commitments and constructive obligations, including performance related grants, where the timing or the amount of the future expenditure required to settle the obligation are uncertain, give rise to a provision in the accounts, which is reviewed at the accounting year end. The provision is increased to reflect any increases in liabilities, and is decreased by the utilisation of any provision within the period, and reversed if any provision is no longer required. These movements are charged or credited to the respective funds and activities to which the provision relates.

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Hastings Storytelling Festival

Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 July 2024

Financial instruments including cash and bank balances

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

Financial instruments are recognised when the Charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets are offset, with the net presented in the accounts 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

Basic financial assets, which include trade and other receivables and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs.

Impairment of financial assets

Financial assets, other than those held at fair value through income and expenditure, are assessed for the indicators of impairment at each reporting end date. Financial assets are impaired where there is objective evidence that, as a result of one or more events that occurred after the initial recognition of the financial asset, the estimated future cash flows have been affected.

If an asset is impaired, the impairment loss is the difference between the carrying amount and the present value of the estimated cash flows discounted at the asset's original effective interest rate. The impairment loss is recognised in net income/(expenditure) for the year.

If there is a decrease in the impairment loss arising from an event occurring after the impairment was recognised, the impairment is reversed. The reversal is such that the current carrying amount does not exceed what the carrying amount would have been, had the impairment not previously been recognised. The impairment reversal is recognised in net income/(expenditure) for the year.

2 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Trade creditors Accruals Deferred Income Other creditors 3 Income and Expenditure account summary At 1 August 2023 Transfers in for the year Surplus after tax for the year At 31 July 2024	2024 £ - - -	2023 £ 720 1,066 -
	-	1,786
	2024 £ 452 - 10,354	2023 £ 171 - 281
	10,806	452

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