Natural Voice Network Charitable Incorporated Organisation
Registered charity 1171644
Trustees annual report and Financial statements for the year ended 31 July 2021
Natural Voice Network CIO
Annual report of the trustees for the year ended 31 July 2021
The trustees present their annual report together with financial statements for the period under review. The trustees have adopted Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK (FRS 102) in preparing the annual report and financial statements of the charity.
The attached financial statements cover the year ended 31 July 2021.
Objectives and activities
The objects of the charity, as stated in its governing document, are the advancement of the art of natural voice singing with the public through the maintenance, development and improvement of the practice of natural voice and community song, and in particular the development of practitioners.
These objectives are achieved by:
-
providing opportunities for practitioners to share information, ideas, materials, skills and experiences
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organising and supporting training events and conferences
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publicising and promoting the work of the organisation and the activities of singing practitioners and choirs
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seeking funding and acquiring resources to support the work of the charity and its members
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promoting and developing good practice and high standards in the field of natural voice and community song, by encouraging members to undertake training and continuing professional development
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producing publications which are a resource for practitioners and choirs
The trustees have complied with their duty to have due regard to the guidance on public benefit published by the Charity Commission in exercising their powers and duties.
Achievements and performance
During the year under review, the charity offered a wide range of support for those working with voice and song and participants in natural voice choirs.
We did this by:
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supporting the 600+ members to find training and support locally to them, using a monthly email that highlights all the training opportunities offered by members
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arranging an online annual gathering of practitioners with opportunities for networking as well as song learning, and workshops on a huge variety of themes
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maintaining a website where resources are readily available to practitioners
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assembling collections of articles, research reports, toolkits, blogs, podcasts, and other resources that may be useful to members
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reminding members of the teaching videos available via the members' area of the website to support members' continuing professional development, thus enabling us to reach members from all over the UK and internationally
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expanding the support to members with a Facebook members-only discussion forum where ideas and questions can be shared and answered and good practice disseminated
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developing connections with other relevant projects, networks and organisations including Sing Up! and Giving Voice and exploring potential for future collaborations
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joining with other organisations to bring attention of government for the need to give advice to amateur choir members consistent with research done into COVID-19 spread
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continuing work on submitting academic papers for consideration by university research bodies
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facilitating research done by a PhD student into natural voice singing
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promoting natural voice singing by maintaining a regular newsletter including all the opportunities for singing nationally and internationally
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continuing to support the formation of local and specialist networks of practitioners over Zoom including one looking at some of the issues connected with anti-racism and cultural honouring, both in song leading and in all aspects of life.
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facilitating the regular online sharing and song circles for members
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running an online workshop on “the new science and discoveries of the older woman’s voice”, which was recorded and attended/watched by 81 NVN members.
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agreeing a Gender Inclusion Policy
Financial review
The principal funding source of the charity is membership subscriptions.
A summary of the charity’s financial transactions during the year is as follows:
| 19-20 | 20-21 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||
| 70001 | Incoming resources | 38847 | |
| 69567 | Resources expended | 31666 | |
| _____ | _____ | ||
| £ 434 | Net income | £ 7181 | |
| 34121 | Balance at start of year | 34555 | |
| _____ | _____ | ||
| £ | 34555 | Balance at end of year | £ 41736 |
| _____ | _____ | ||
| 662 | Membership at start of year | 701 | |
| 701 | Membership at end of year | 643 |
Reserves
The charity aims to hold a level of reserves to continue its activities by covering operational costs and emergency expenditure, to manage cash flow and mitigate any downturn in income. The charity is also obliged to pay advance deposits on venues for events and if an event did not take place, the charity might forfeit the deposits and be liable for other associated costs. The trustees have agreed that the charity’s bank account should not fall below a figure representing 50% of annual membership income. The trustees consider the current level of general reserves is necessary and appropriate taking into account continuing commitments.
Structure, governance and management
Natural Voice Network is a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) with voting members other than its trustees, formed on 16 February 2017. It is a registered charity in England and Wales (number 1171644) and operates under a constitution adopted upon incorporation.
The charity’s principal address is 10 St. Albans Road, Sheffield, S10 4DP.
The charity is managed by trustees appointed at the AGM by the members. Additional trustees may be coopted between AGMs by existing trustees, but must be confirmed in office at the subsequent AGM. The constitution limits the term of individual trustees to periods of four consecutive years. The trustees meet several times a year and are in regular contact remotely.
Trustees who served during the during the year under review were:
| Co-opted | Elected | Stood down | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frances Andre | 09.01.21 | ||
| Omolara Awen | 30.03.19 | 11.01.20 | |
| Jessica Baker | 09.01.21 | ||
| Rebecca Ballard (treasurer) | 01.07.19 | 11.01.20 | |
| Laura Bradshaw | 11.01.20 | ||
| Caroline Bithell | 13.01.18 | 09.01.21 | |
| Dave Camlin | 14.10.17 | 13.01.18 | 09.01.21 |
| Rose Hodgson | 11.01.20 | 09.01.21 | |
| Kirsty Martin | 09.01.21 | ||
| Ryan O’Riordan | 30.03.19 | 11.01.20 | |
| Rod Paton | 16.02.17 | 09.01.21 | |
| Lotte Reimer | 13.01.18 | ||
| Chris Samuel | 09.01.21 | ||
| Roxane Smith | 11.01.20 |
No remuneration or waiving of subscriptions were given to trustees. Details of expenses reimbursed
The trustees declare that they have approved the above report
Rebecca Ballard Trustee
Date: 28-Jan-2022
Natural Voice Network CIO Statement of financial activities for the year ended
31 July 2021
| 19-20 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| note | ||||
| £ | £ | |||
| Incoming resources | ||||
| Charitable activities: | ||||
| 33279 | Membership | 31368 | 1 | |
| 33684 | Events | 5768 | 2 | |
| 3038 | Publications | 1711 | 3 | |
| ___ | ___ | |||
| £ | 70001 | 38847 | ||
| ___ | ___ | |||
| Resources expended | ||||
| Charitable activities: | ||||
| 25188 | General charitable activities | 20745 | 4 | |
| 42465 | Events | 10089 | 2 | |
| 1914 | Publications | 832 | 3 | |
| ___ | ___ | |||
| £ | 69567 | 31666 | ||
| ___ | ___ | |||
| £ 434 | Net income | £ 7181 | ||
| 34121 | Balance at 1 August 2020 | 34555 | ||
| ___ | ___ | |||
| £ | 34555 | Balance at 31 July 2021 | £ 41736 | |
| ___ | ___ |
Natural Voice Network CIO Balance sheet 31 July 2021
| 19-20 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| note | ||||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |||
| Current assets | ||||||
| 2964 | Stocks | 2490 | ||||
| 6071 | Debtors & prepayments | 6235 | 5 | |||
| 43343 | Cash at bank | 49218 | ||||
| ______ | ______ | |||||
| 52378 | 57943 | |||||
| Creditors: amounts falling due within one | year | |||||
| 17253 | Amounts received in advance | 15657 | 6 | |||
| 570 | Creditors & accruals | 550 | ||||
| 17823 | ______ | ______ | 16207 | |||
| _ | _ | |||||
| £ | 34555 | Total net assets | £ 41736 | |||
| _ | _ | |||||
| Funds of the charity | ||||||
| £ | 34555 | Unrestricted funds | £ 41736 | |||
| _ | _ | |||||
| Approved by the trustees on | ||||||
| Signed on their behalf by |
Rebecca Ballard Trustee/Treasurer
Natural Voice Network CIO Accounting policies Year ended 31 July 2021
Summary of significant accounting policies
a) General information and basis of preparation
The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) 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 2015 as updated through Update Bulletin 1, published on 2 February 2016, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011, and UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (GAAP).
The charity does not include a cash flow statement as it is applying FRS 102 Section 1A.
The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention modified to include certain items at fair value. The financial statements are prepared in sterling which is the functional currency of the charity.
The significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies are consistently applied to all years presented unless otherwise stated.
b) Funds
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes. Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised or allocated by the charity for particular purposes.
c) Incoming resources
All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA) when the charity is legally entitled to the income after any performance conditions have been met, the amount can be measured reliably and it is probable that the income will be received.
Membership subscriptions are apportioned to each accounting year with the amount relating to the subsequent year shown as received in advance (note 6).
d) Resources expended
All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis. Expenditure is recognised where there is a legal or constructive obligation to make payments to third parties, it is probable that the settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Where deposits are paid for services to be delivered after the year end, and at the time of accounts preparation have been delivered or there is reasonable expectation that the services will be delivered, these are allocated to the subsequent year and are therefore included as prepayments (note 5).
Grants payable to third parties are within the charitable objectives. Where unconditional grants are offered, this is accrued as soon as the recipient is notified of the grant, as this gives rise to a reasonable expectation that the recipient will receive the grant. Where grants are conditional to performance then the grant is only accounted for when payment becomes due, but is noted as a capital commitment if significant.
e) Going concern
The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis as the trustees believe that no material uncertainties exist. The trustees have considered the level of funds held and the expected level of income and expenditure for twelve months from authorising these financial statements. The budgeted income and expenditure is sufficient with the level of reserves for the charity to be able to continue as a going concern.
Natural Voice Network CIO Notes to Accounts for the year ended 31 July 2021
19-20
1 Membership income
| Number of members: | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 July 2019 | 662 | |||||
| 31 July 2020 | 701 | |||||
| 31 July 2021 | 643 | |||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |||
| 33041 | Membership subscriptions | 31155 | ||||
| 238 | E-mail services | 213 | ||||
| __ | __ | |||||
| £ | 33279 | £ | 31368 | |||
| __ | __ | |||||
| Subscriptions are allocated to each accounting year with the amount | ||||||
| relating to the subsequent year shown as received in advance (note 6). | ||||||
| 2 | Events | |||||
| Annual gathering | ||||||
| 33684 | Fees received from participants | 5768 | ||||
| Less: expenses: | ||||||
| 30591 | Venue hire/teleconferencing fees | 4640 | ||||
| 1200 | Organising committee accommodation | 0 | ||||
| 220 | Organising committee travel | 0 | ||||
| 780 | Tutor fees, travel & accommodation | 1400 | ||||
| 74 | PA system | 0 | ||||
| 3580 | Recording and videography | 900 | ||||
| 176 | Offce costs | 0 | ||||
| 464 | Payment processing fees | 109 | ||||
| 37085 | __ | __ | 7049 | |||
| __ | __ | |||||
| £ | (3401) | Operating defcit for year | £ | (1281) | ||
| Additional expenditure: | ||||||
| 1660 | Administration charge | 3040 | ||||
| 3480 | Accommodation for trustees | 0 | ||||
| 240 | Accommodation for administrator | 0 | ||||
| 5380 | __ | __ | 3040 | |||
| _ | _ | |||||
| £ | (8781) | Defcit after additional expenditure | £ | (4321) | ||
| _ | _ | |||||
| 875 | Grants to participants included in costs | 0 | ||||
| __ | __ |
Natural Voice Network CIO Notes to Accounts for the year ended 31 July 2021
| Notes to Accounts for the year ended 31 July 2021 |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19-20 | |||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Annual gathering (cont.) | |||||
| 33684 | Total income | 5768 | |||
| 42465 | Total expenditure | 10089 | |||
| __ | __ | ||||
| £ (8781) | Defcit for year | £ (4321) | |||
| __ | __ | ||||
| 3 | Publications | ||||
| To Grace the Earth | |||||
| 590 | Sales | 210 | |||
| Less : expenditure | |||||
| 10 | Payment processing fees | 4 | |||
| __ | __ | ||||
| £ 580 | Surplus for year | £ 206 | |||
| __ | __ | ||||
| This Room Sings | |||||
| 2448 | Sales | 1501 | |||
| Less : expenditure | |||||
| 1425 | Production costs | 474 | |||
| 255 | Administration charge | 144 | |||
| 195 | Postage and packing | 188 | |||
| 29 | Payment processing fees | 22 | |||
| 1904 | __ | __ | 828 | ||
| __ | __ | ||||
| £ 544 | Surplus for year | £ 673 | |||
| __ | __ | ||||
| Total | |||||
| 3038 | Income | 1711 | |||
| 1914 | Expenditure | 832 | |||
| __ | __ | ||||
| £ 1124 | Surplus for year | £ 879 | |||
| __ | __ |
Natural Voice Network CIO Notes to Accounts for the year ended 31 July 2021
| Natural Voice Network CIO Notes to Accounts for the year ended 31 July 2021 |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19-20 | ||||||
| £ | £ |
£ | £ | |||
| 4 | Resources expended on general charitable activities | |||||
| 7942 | Contractor costs: administration | 7198 | ||||
| 2246 | Contractor costs: bookkeeping | 2317 | ||||
| 2254 | Contractor costs: special projects | 0 | ||||
| 166 | General travel and related expenses | 0 | ||||
| 1251 | Trustees' expenses (see note below) | 0 | ||||
| 226 | Room hire | 0 | ||||
| 6881 | Members' insurance scheme | 5772 | ||||
| 2249 | Website management & hosting | 2962 | ||||
| 576 | Website development & upgrading | 334 | ||||
| 194 | Offce costs | 192 | ||||
| 550 | Independent accounts examination | 550 | ||||
| 567 | Payment processing fees | 569 | ||||
| 86 | Subscriptions | 851 | ||||
| __ | __ | |||||
| £ | 25188 | £ 20745 | ||||
| __ | __ | |||||
| Trustees' expenses | ||||||
| Trustees are reimbursed for expenses incurred in the course of carrying | ||||||
| out their duties: travel based on a mileage rate of | 45ppm or fares incurred, | |||||
| other expenses based on invoices produced. | ||||||
| 1094 | Travel | 0 | ||||
| 157 | Subsistence | 0 | ||||
| 1251 | __ |
__ | 0 | |||
| No remuneration or waiving of subscriptions were given. | ||||||
| The 2021 AGM and annual gathering took place | remotely. Free accommodation | |||||
| at the 2020 annual gathering was offered to enable attendance at the AGM and | ||||||
| trustees meeting and facilitate interaction with members, at a cost of £3480. | ||||||
| Frances Andre was paid £4270 for Zoom support at the 2021 annual | ||||||
| gathering, the contract being agreed before she was appointed a trustee. |
5 Debtors and prepayments
| 5960 | Annual gathering | 5960 |
|---|---|---|
| 67 | Insurance | 275 |
| 44 | Subscriptions | 0 |
| __ | __ | |
| £ 6071 | £ 6235 | |
| __ | __ |
The prepayment for the annual gathering was originally for the 2021 event, but is now allocated to 2023. This could be considered a material risk given the Covid-19 emergency and the lead time. At the date of accounts approval, the trustees are not aware of any realised risk.
6 Amounts received in advance
Membership subscriptions allocated to subsequent year £ 15657
£ 17253