MANCHESTER LESBIAN AND GAY CHORUS
Report of the trustees for the year ended 31st March 2021
The trustees present their annual trustees’ report and financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31st March 2021. The financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011 and the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).
Objectives and activities
1) To promote, improve, develop and maintain appreciation of and education of the public, in particular but not exclusively the LGBT+ community, in the art and science of music in all its aspects by any means the management committee sees fit, including through the presentation of public concerts and recitals to the highest possible standard.
2) To promote equality and diversity for the public benefit with particular reference to the LGBT+ community and in particular but not exclusively by:
a) Advancing education and raising awareness in equality and diversity;
b) Promoting activities to foster understanding between people from diverse backgrounds;
c) Cultivating sentiment in favour of equality and diversity in particular through celebrating the diversity of the LGBT+ community.
3) To further such charitable purpose or purposes as the trustees in their absolute discretion shall think fit, in particular through the making of grants and donations.
The trustees confirm that they have referred to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit when reviewing the Charity’s aims and objectives, in planning future activities, and setting the policies for the year.
Since the early years of the Chorus, it has grown from strength to strength and we now have over 80 members, ranging from people in their early 20s to early 80s. We are a very proud community choir and we are privileged to be the musical voice of Manchester's LGBT+ community.
A review of our achievements and performance
Our performance is measured against outcomes jointly agreed by ourselves and our
commissioners/funders and we have met and/or exceeded all of these outcomes. We have
submitted regular reports to our funders and these reports contain both quantitative and qualitative evaluations together with financial returns.
Financial review
The Trustees considered the budget for the year and made plans to ensure that the charity spent within affordable limits, making the most of the funds it has available whilst ensuring there are enough reserves to secure the organisation for the future. Manchester Lesbian and Gay Chorus derives its funding mainly from member subscriptions, donations and payment for events. The trustees consider that it is appropriate to prepare the accounts on a going concern basis as the charity receives regular income which will continue to be received for the foreseeable future. In March 2020 the charity took steps (in line with government advice) to help contain the outbreak of COVID-19. This included the temporary suspension of all physical gatherings and the charity had to curtail, or change, how it operated; the charity was able to continue some of its activities using online media, but with no events or performances. Members were offered the option to reduce their subscriptions during the COVID-19 period, although many continued to pay the full amount, thus helping the financial position. The trustees are monitoring income and expenditure and, if it becomes necessary, will take measures to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 by utilising the charity’s reserves.
Investment powers and policy
Aside from retaining a prudent amount in reserves each year, most of the charity's funds are to be spent in the short term so there are few funds for any longer term investment. The trustees shall review this statement should excess funds become available.
Risk management
The Management Committee has conducted a review of the major risks to which the charity is exposed. Where appropriate, systems or procedures have been established to mitigate the risks the charity faces. Procedures are in place to ensure compliance with health and safety of members, including safeguarding and anti-bullying and harassment.
Plans for future periods
The charity plans to continue the activities outlined above in the forthcoming years subject to satisfactory funding arrangements, subject to COVID-19 and appropriate government advice.
Structure, governance and management
Manchester Lesbian and Gay Chorus is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation governed by its Constitution dated 13 October 2016. The Management Committee is made up of elected members, which includes at least four trustees subject to annual review and re-election at an Annual General Meeting.
Appointment of trustees
As set out in the Constitution trustees are elected annually by the members of the Charitable Incorporated Organisation attending the Annual General Meeting and serve for a term of two or three years. A trustee who has served for three consecutive terms may not be reappointed for a fourth consecutive term but may be reappointed after an interval of at least one year.
Trustee induction and training
The trustees are familiar with the practical workings of Manchester Lesbian and Gay Chorus, meeting every four to five weeks to receive full operational and financial reports from the Treasurer (also a Trustee), and have significant involvement in the development and agenda of the annual business planning sessions. We also access trustee induction training for new members of the
committee so that they are more confident in their roles.
Organisation
The Management Committee, inclusive of the trustees, administers the charity.
- Related parties and co operation with other organisations
None of our trustees receive remuneration or other benefit from their work with the charity.
Reference and administrative information
Charity Name: Manchester Lesbian and Gay Chorus Charity Number: 1169851
Directors and trustees: The key management personnel of the charity are its trustees for the purpose of charity law.
The trustees and officers serving during the year and since the year end were as follows: Paul Johnson MLGC Co-Chair (until September 2020)
Alison Reavey MLGC Co-Chair (until September 2021) Philip Giorgi MLGC Co-Chair (from September 2020)
Michael Lake MLGC Secretary
Matthew Guest MLGC Treasurer
Registered Office
4 Hewitt Street
Hoole
Chester CH2 3JD
Bankers
National Westminster Bank plc
4 Standishgate
Wigan
Greater Manchester WN1 1UE
Trustees responsibilities in relation to the financial statements
The charity trustees are responsible for preparing a trustees’ annual report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). The Charity Commissioners require the charity trustees to prepare financial statements for each year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable organisation and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable organisation for that period. In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are required to:
Select suitable accounting principles and then apply them consistently;
Observe the methods and principles in the applicable Charities SORP;
Make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
State whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures that must be disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
Prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is appropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Please note that in line with FRS102 as the gross income of the charity is under £250,000 the financial statements are prepared on a receipts and payments basis which the trustees believe give a true and fair view of the financial position of the organisation.
By order of the trustees Michael John Lake
Dated 20 January 2022
Mancheter Lesbian and Gay Chorus Accounts for Year Ending 31st March 2021
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2019/20 2020/21
£ £
Income
Membership Income 15,294 13,573
Uniform Contributions 95 0
Donations 276 0
Performance Fees 150 0
Grant Income 900 0
Gift Aid 3,976 2,643
Bank Interest 9 2
Total Income 20,700 16,218
Expenditure
Musical Director Fees -8,580 -7,200
Assistant Musical Director Fees -200 0
Room Hire -4,320 -75
Uniforms -64 -341
Website -286 -286
Professional Fees 0 -757
Gifts -85 -547
Printing/Photocopying -519 0
Insurance -351 -311
Promotion -651 0
Party -335 0
Fees & Subscriptions 122 -294
Music Arrangement -1,447 -432
Charitable Donations 0 -250
Subsidising Trips -177 0
Miscellaneious Expenditure -75 0
Total Expenditure -16,968 -10,493
Surplus / (Deficit) 3,732 5,725
Bank Accounts 2019/20 2020/21
£ £
Main Account 7,002 12,724
Saver Account 4,711 4,714
Subs Account 326 326
Total 12,039 17,764
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General Running
Costs Charity Performance Paid Performance Competitions Main Performance Hand in Hand Total
2019/20 2020/21 2019/20 2020/21 2019/20 2020/21 2019/20 2020/21 2019/20 2020/21 2019/20 2020/21 2019/20 2020/21
Income
Membership Income 15,294 13,573 15,294 13,573
Uniform Contributions 95 95 0
Donations 44 232 276 0
Performance Fees 150 150 0
Grant Income 900 900 0
Gift Aid 3,976 2,643 3,976 2,643
Bank Interest 9 2 9 2
Total Income 20,318 16,218 0 0 150 0 0 0 232 0 0 0 20,700 16,218
Expenditure
Musical Director Fees -7,200 -7,200 -900 -150 -330 -8,580 -7,200
Assistant MD Fees -200 -200 0
Room Hire -3,645 -75 -600 -75 -4,320 -75
Uniforms -64 -341 -64 -341
Website -286 -285 -286 -285
Professional Fees -720 0 -720
Gifts -85 -586 -85 -586
Printing/Photocopying -519 -519 0
Insurance -351 -311 -351 -311
Promotion -651 -651 0
Party -335 -335 0
Fees & Subscriptions -28 -144 150 -150 122 -294
Music Arrangement -1,447 -432 -1,447 -432
Charitable Donations -250 0 -250
Subsidising Trips -177 -177 0
Miscellaneious Expenditure -75 -75 0
Total Expenditure -14,886 -10,344 -900 0 0 0 0 -150 -600 0 -582 0 -16,968 -10,494
Grand Total 5,432 5,874 -900 0 150 0 0 -150 -368 0 -582 0 3,732 5,724
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