## **MANCHESTER PROUD CHORUS** ## **Report of the trustees for the year ended 31st March 2024** The trustees present their annual trustees’ report and financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31st March 2024. 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 in excess of 100 members, ranging from people in their early 20s to early 80s. We were previously the Manchester Lesbian and Gay Chorus. Over recent years, we became aware that our previous name did not reflect the diversity of the community we embrace as a chorus. After a long consultation process and lots of listening to each other, we agreed unanimously to change our name to the Manchester Proud Chorus. 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 Proud Chorus derives its funding mainly from member subscriptions, donations, sponsorship 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. ## 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. ## Structure, governance and management Manchester Proud 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 Proud 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 Proud 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: Deborah Anderson Chorus Co-Chair Colin Hill Chorus Co-Chair Andrew Leigh Chorus Secretary Matthew Guest Chorus Treasurer Michael Lake Declan Brennan 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 11 January 2025 ## **Manchester Proud Chorus Accounts for Year Ending 31st March 2024** ||**2022/23**|**2023/24**| |---|---|---| ||**£**|**£**| |**Income**||| |Membership Income|15,769|19,343| |Donations|743|35| |Performance Fees|194|0| |Grant Income|600|0| |Gift Aid|2,486|3,294| |Sponsorship|5,000|2,000| |Bank Interest|22|112| |**Total Income**|**24,814**|**24,784**| |**Expenditure**||| |Musical Director Fees|-8,794|-7,920| |Room Hire|-4,100|-4,554| |Uniforms|-9,894|-1,913| |Website|-400|-626| |Professional Fees|-165|-638| |Gifts|-140|-166| |Printing/Photocopying|-604|-790| |Insurance|-392|-326| |Promotion|-608|-898| |Party|-450|-435| |Fees & Subscriptions|-320|-197| |Music Arrangement|-600|-993| |Musicianship Grant|-355|0| |Charitable Donations|0|0| |Subsidising Trips|-433|-3,567| |Storage Costs|-738|-759| |Equipment|-875|-122| |Logo Design|-950|0| |Miscellaneious Expenditure|-546|-589| |**Total Expenditure**|**-30,364**|**-24,493**| |**Surplus/ (Deficit)**|**-5,550**|**291**| |||| |||| |**Bank Accounts**|**2022/23**|**2023/24**| ||**£**|**£**| |Main Account|10,073|2,433| |Saver Account|4,736|12,061| |Subs Account|327|2,014| |Members Event Reserve*|1,081|0| |**Total**|**16,217**|**16,508**| * The Members Event Reserve shows the balance of income and Expenditure that the Chorus have received or paid during the year for events that will occur in the following year.