2022-05-31-accounts

Charity Registration No. 1171950

PETERBOROUGH SINGS!

ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2022

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PETERBOROUGH SINGS!

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Trustees J Hanby G Hall A Welsford B Pengelly L Hatfield A Viale M Currier Charity number 1171950 Principal address John Mansfield Campus Western Avenue Peterborough PE1 4HX Independent examiner Sarah Morris 32 Lancaster Way Yaxley Peterborough PE7 3EP Bankers Barclays Bank plc 1 Church Street Peterborough PE1 1XE3

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PETERBOROUGH SINGS!

CONTENTS

Page Page Trustees' report 4– 7 Independent examiner's report 8 Payments and receipts account 9-10 Notes to the Accounts 11 - 12

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PETERBOROUGH SINGS!

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] MAY 2022

The trustees present their report and financial statements for the year ended 31 May 2022.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements, they comply with the charity's constitution, and the Charities Act 2011.

The Charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) with turnover not exceeding £250,000, as such it has chosen to produce these statements using the Receipts and Payments Method as detailed in the document “Charity Reporting and Accounting” CC15c.

Objectives and activities

The charity’s objects are: To advance, improve, develop and maintain public education in, and appreciation of the art and science of music in all its aspects but in particular choral music, through such means as the trustees see fit, including through the presentation of public concerts and recitals; musical projects that encourage public participation and education programmes; recruiting from the public at large; through performance, rehearsals, and communication to maintain cohesive choirs; and to further such charitable purposes as the trustees in their absolute discretion shall think fit, including through the making of grants and donations.

The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in setting these objectives and deciding what activities the charity should undertake.

Achievements and performance

Throughout 2021-22 the charity continued to pursue events and initiatives that support its aims and objectives as summarised below.

1. Competitions and Festivals

During 2021-22 Peterborough Voices (PV) and Male Voice Choir (PMVC) have competed in several national competitions with great success.

On the international stage PMVC have, after a Covid enforced absence of 3 years, competed in the prestigious Cornwall International Male Choral Festival, placing sixth in their class, which is an achievement that the management and members of the choirs should be congratulated for, especially considering the entry of an increased number of smaller sized choirs comprising trained musicians from outside of the UK.

The success of the choirs across such a broad and high-profile spectrum of national and international competitions shows that the time spent during previous years building individual learning skills and techniques has paid off.

2. Singing projects

These projects aim to develop, educate, and bring appreciation and experience of choral singing to a wide spread of participants, the overwhelming majority of whom are either first time choristers or singers returning to the activity after a long time. Project members vastly enjoy singing a repertoire

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that is accessible to those with a wide variety of previous experience, while at the same time being coached to become much better singers than they were at the start of the programme.

Due to unprecedented demand during 2021-22 PS! have been able to run one women’s project choir and two men’s project choirs. These choirs have been incredibly successful in introducing singing to many people and the majority of the members of these project choirs have continued their journey in one of the three choirs of PS!. These projects have collectively raised a tremendous figure in excess of £20,000 (comprising donations from PS! accounts plus on-line sponsorship, which went directly to the charities without passing through our account) for Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall hospice and Prostate Cancer UK.

3. Engaging young singers

We’re incredibly proud that since Peterborough Sings! launched Peterborough Youth Choir in 2011, we have inspired hundreds of children and young people across the city to start singing, hopefully, a love that will last a lifetime. We’ve provided them with exceptional and unforgettable experiences and opportunities, from performing in West End musicals to singing live on stage with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and performing on BBC One’s Songs of Praise. It’s been an incredible journey for all our staff, volunteers, and trustees.

Towards the end of the financial year the trustees began looking at the structure of Peterborough Sings!, with a particular emphasis on resources within the small team. The tough decision has been made that Peterborough Youth Choir will finish at the end of the summer 2022 term to ensure we can deliver our commitments and charitable aims. Although the final few months of the choir will go into 2022-23 it is appropriate to report this development here.

We thank every parent, volunteer and staff member who’ve contributed so much to the choir over the years. We’d particularly like to thank all the children that have joined Peterborough Youth Choir, past and present, who’ve brought so much energy, commitment and fun to the activities; we wish them all the best and hope they are inspired to continue their singing.

Several “School singing day” events have been run during 2021-22 which supported the Peterborough Music Hub Singing Strategy for which PS! have been the delivery partner. We thank the City Council for continuing to support this programme which is vital to keep singing in schools alive and for continuing to have the confidence in PS! as its delivery partner.

4. Concerts

With the uncertainty of what as possible at the start of the 2021-22 year, the choirs pivoted to smaller, intimate, concerts with PV presenting a collection of sacred music in September’s ‘Ave Maria’ concert and PMVC presenting a collection of nautical-themed music in November’s ‘Songs of the Sea’ concert. Both concerts saw the first foray into the world of live streaming where over 3,000 people watched the live stream of the concert. The level of professionalism and dedication shown during these concerts from the management and the members of both choirs should be highly commended.

Once again, PS! put on two very successful ‘Christmas Magic’ concerts which were attended by well over 1,000 people. These showcased all four choirs of PS! and were a much needed festive end to the calendar year.

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5. Grants

During 2021-22 the charity applied for a range of grants to aid the development of its charitable aims. During the financial year 2021-22 the most exciting success from these applications was the receipt of some £27000 from the Arts Council towards the staging of a Women’s Choir Festival, which will take place in the summer of 2023, but for which a number of entries have already been received. The charity also received notification of a grant of circa £14,500 towards the hosting of a Male Choir Conference, this sum will be received in early 2022-23.

6. Governance, structure and management

There were no changes to the trustee body during 2021-22.

Over the years the scope and importance of Jo Royle’s role as administrator has increased significantly. The trustees are delighted to confirm, as a reflection of these changes, Jo’s appointment as Business Manager.

7. Financial review

The impact of the pandemic caused the trustees to reconsider the reserves policy for the Charity. We now feel that having to fund a protracted period beyond 3 months without income is a possibility that needs to be considered. We also note that the enormous expense of government support of the type represented by the Job Retention Scheme is unlikely to be repeated. The trustees have therefore agreed that the reserves should be increased to 12 months of basic costs plus £25,000 to cover any major contractual commitments. This would equate to circa £120,000. The trustees are realistic in noting that total funds, including restricted funds, are barely at this level at present. This level of reserve is therefore a figure that needs to be worked towards over the next few years. As an interim an increased reserve of £60,000 has been set and is shown in this year’s accounts.

2021-22 was of course still impacted by Covid-19 and with our staff still on significantly reduced hours until autumn 2021 we were able to continue to benefit from the Government Job Retention Scheme (Furlough).

Overall the accounts show a satisfactory financial position with a growth in funds of £54,572, however it should be noted that some £37,859 of this growth is in restricted funds where monies have already been received for tour and project, but payments against these funds will be made in future years. After taking account of the reserve of £60,000 the available operating funds are limited to £25,820.

The trustees who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:

M Currier

J Hanby

G Hall

L Hatfield

A Viale

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B Pengelly

A Welsford

The trustees are appointed by a vote of the subscription paying members of the charity at the Annual General Meeting. The posts on the trustee body are decided by the trustees themselves. If necessary a vote among the trustees is taken. None of the trustees has any beneficial interest in the company.

All of the trustees are members of the company and guarantee to contribute £1 in the event of a winding up.

The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.

J Hanby

Trustee

Dated: 29[th] July 2022

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PETERBOROUGH SINGS!

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES

I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Peterborough Sings! (the charity) for the year ended 31 May 2022.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act).

Independent examiner's statement

I report in respect of my examination of the charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act. In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the 2011 Act;

or

1. the financial statements do not accord with those records;

or

1. the financial statements do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.

Sarah Morris

Dated: 29[th] July 2022

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PETERBOROUGH SINGS!

PAYMENTS AND RECEIPTS ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MAY 2022

	Total 2022	Total 2021
	£	£
Income from:
Concerts	34,150	17,306
Donations	6,561	2,106
Education and Outreach	45,270	34,405
Gift Aid	5,825	3,760
Projects	28,943	-
Raffles	-	-
Staffing	-	-
Subscriptions	23,100	16,734
Tours and Competitions	9,394	1,847
Uniforms	585	0
Interest	0	10
Covid19 Grants	18,612	95,607
Riga Tour Member Payments	13,948	0
Women's Festival ACE Grant	27,000	0
Business Rates Refund	1,286
Total Income	214,674	177,402
Expenditure on:
Accommodation	5,383	0
Administration	11,936	11,936
Concerts	14,854	42,694
Education and Outreach	7,529	11,451
Governance	-	-
Projects	13,198	2,268
Staffing	92,130	83,760
Tours and Competitions	9,375	369
Uniforms	1,340	85
Business Rates	1,269	0

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Riga Tour Expenditure	3,089	0
Total Expenditure	160,102	152,563
Net income for the year	54,572	19,212
Fund balances at 1st June 2020	-	49,896
Restricted Funds
Riga Tour	10,859	-
Women's Festival ACE Grant	27,000	-
Reserve	60,000	-
Total Unrestricted funds	25,820	-
End of year total funds	123,680	69,108

The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 26[th] July 2022.

J Hanby

Trustee Dated: 29[th] July 2022

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PETERBOROUGH SINGS!

NOTES TO THE PAYMENTS AND RECEIPTS ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MAY 2021

1 Accounting policies

Charity information

Peterborough Sings! is a charitable incorporated organisation registered in England and Wales.

1.1 Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and “Reporting and Accounting” (CC15c), section 1.3 “Types of Account.”

The charity has not prepared a Statement of Cash Flows for this report.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, modified to include the revaluation of freehold properties and to include investment properties and certain financial instruments at fair value. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

1.2 Going concern

At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a 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 financial statements.

1.3 Incoming resources

Income is recognised on receipt, when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably.

Cash donations and other donations are recognised on receipt.

Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised on receipt.

Turnover is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable and represents amounts receivable for goods and services provided in the normal course of business, net of discounts, VAT and other sales related taxes.

1.4 Resources expended

Policy for recognition of liabilities is as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to expenditure. Recognition of the costs of generating funds is on a payments and receipts basis.

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Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries.

Governance costs include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity and included audit fees and costs linked to the strategic management of the charity.

Costs are allocated, where possible, directly to the activity. Where the cost is not directly attributable it is allocated by informed management's best estimate of the activities undertaken.

There were no additional governance costs for 2021-22

2. Trustees

None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year.

3. Employees

The Average number of employees during the year was 3

4. Related party transactions

The trustees participate in the choir and therefore subscriptions and tour payments are made by the trustees to the charity. These transactions are on the same basis as other members of the choir

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