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← Peterborough Sings!

2024-05-31-accounts

Charity Registration No. 1171950

PETERBOROUGH SINGS!

ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2024

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PETERBOROUGH SINGS!

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Trustees J Hanby
A Welsford
S Morris
C Pearman
B Pengelly
L Hatfield
A Viale
J Macaulay
Charity number 1171950
Principal address John Mansfield Campus
Western Avenue
Peterborough
PE1 4HX
Independent examinerTom Wiltshire
Flat 4 The Granary
10 Broad Street
Whittlesey
PE7 1HD
Bankers Barclays Bank plc
1 Church Street
Peterborough
PE1 1XE3

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PETERBOROUGH SINGS!

CONTENTS

Page
Trustees' report 4–8
Independent examiner's report 9
Payments and receipts account 10-11
Notes to the Accounts 12 - 13

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PETERBOROUGH SINGS!

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] MAY 2024

The trustees present their report and financial statements for the year ended 31st May 2024.

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 2023-2024, the charity continued to pursue events and initiatives that supported its aims and objectives, as summarised within each strategic principle below.

Ambition and Quality

Competitions

During 2023-24, Peterborough Voices and Peterborough Male Voice Choir successfully competed in several national and international competitions.

In the UK, both Peterborough Voices and Peterborough Male Voice Choir competed at the Mrs Sunderland Festival in Huddersfield and at the Oundle Festival of Music and Drama, scoring highly across several categories.

On the international stage, Peterborough Male Voice Choir competed in the prestigious Cornwall International Male Voice Choral Festival, winning Category 1, Best UK Choir, Best Overall UK Choir, and Festival Champion Choir. This demonstrates a step-up in Peterborough Male Voice Choir's quality, resulting directly from the members' dedication and the management's focus and direction.

The choirs' success across such a broad and high-profile spectrum of national and international competitions demonstrates one of the organisation's fundamental values: focus on quality. All choir members and management take great pride in the high standard of the choirs’ performances.

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Peterborough Voices received a Civic award from Peterborough City Council for their contribution to Art and Culture in the city, specifically for their delivery of the inaugural Peterborough International Women's Choral Festival. This award recognises work in the arts in a voluntary or professional capacity for anyone who has made an outstanding contribution within the city.

Concerts

All four Peterborough Sings! choirs have performed in a wide range of concerts over the past year, including small, intimate events at St John's Church Peterborough and larger-scale events at highprofile venues including Peterborough Cathedral and The Cresset Theatre.

The most prestigious of these was the "Stars Above and Earth Below" concert in October 2023, which saw Peterborough Voices and Peterborough Male Voice Choir present a programme of contemporary choral music by living composers at Peterborough Cathedral. Each composer introduced their work and explained their creative process in a short video, resulting in a unique experience and a much better understanding and appreciation for audience and singers alike.

Peterborough Sings! presented two very successful “Christmas Magic” concerts at Peterborough Cathedral: these showcased all four Peterborough Sings! choirs and were attended by well over one thousand people - a thrilling end to the calendar year!

Dynamism

Grants

During the 2023/24 financial year, Peterborough Sings! delivered these grant-funded projects:

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writing lyrics and singing on a professional stage with a professional orchestra. It also allowed them to experience the challenges and joy of group singing. The project focused on Peterborough, aiming to promote civic pride and build community.

As our strategic plan outlines, Peterborough Sings! will persist in seeking grants and other funding sources to achieve our goals. We developed our plan based on research data and using the Arts Council's tools for working with investment principles and planning cycles. We are enthusiastic about exploring new opportunities for growth and development in the upcoming year and beyond.

Inclusivity and Relevance

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 first-time choristers or singers returning to the activity after a long time. Project members vastly enjoy singing a repertoire 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.

During 2023-24, Peterborough Sings! has run both upper and lower voice projects. These projects have been incredibly successful in introducing singing to many people, and the majority of the members of these project choirs have continued their singing journey in one of Peterborough Sings!' three adult choirs.

These projects have jointly raised in excess of £20,000 (comprising donations from PS! accounts plus online sponsorship, which went directly to the charities without passing through our account) for our charity partners Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice and Prostate Cancer UK.

Engaging young singers

We delivered several school singing day events during 2023-24 to support the Peterborough Music Hub Singing Strategy. We thank Peterborough City Council for continuing to support this programme, which is vital to keeping singing in schools alive, and for continuing to have confidence in Peterborough Sings! as its delivery partner.

In September 2023, Peterborough Sings! relaunched Peterborough Youth Choir with funding from Peterborough Music Hub. The group aims to provide a platform for young people in Peterborough to develop their musical skills, build confidence, and become part of a supportive community. The project is motivated by the desire to promote music education, address social isolation, and foster a sense of belonging among young people.

Governance, structure and management

During 2023-24, Mark Currier resigned from the trustee body after 15 years. Mark has been an integral part of Peterborough Sings!, bringing invaluable expertise, passion, and dedication to our mission. On behalf of the entire board and staff, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Mark for their extraordinary contributions and are delighted to appoint Mark as an Honorary Life President.

Chris Pearman was appointed a trustee at the 2023 AGM.

As part of our continued CPD programme, William Prideaux attended the INTERKULTUR International Conductors' Seminar in Wernigerode, having been awarded a place during Peterborough Voices's attendance at Riga Sings in August 2022. The four-day seminar provided an

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enriching experience and an opportunity to study and rehearse international choral literature intensively with renowned international choral conductors.

Environmental Responsibility

Peterborough Sings! is committed to meeting and exceeding all European and national environmental legislative and regulatory requirements. We adopt best operational practices to reduce environmental impacts, actively measure and reduce our carbon footprint, and monitor and manage our use of energy and water. We strive to minimise the environmental impact of travel associated with our activities and reduce waste through increased recycling and reuse. Environmental criteria, including climate change considerations, are integral to our procurement processes and overall decision-making. Additionally, we encourage and support our employees, volunteers, partners, and stakeholders in conducting their activities in an environmentally responsible manner.

Financial review

2023-2024 saw another increase in income from Subscriptions which is indicative of the continuing growth in membership of the choirs. Similarly income from Projects and Grants was significantly increased, whilst income from Education and Outreach was reduced. Having received a number of Grants and having run a number of Projects throughout the year as referred to above, expenditure in these areas increased to cover the costs associated with achieving the charity’s objectives. As can be expected in the current economic climate, expenditure on Administration increased to cover the day-to-day running expenses of the charity.

The trustees continue to review the reserves policy for the Charity and, as with the previous financial year, a reserve of £60,000 has been set and is shown in this year’s accounts. This is the equivalent of circa 6 months of basic costs plus £25,000 to cover any major contractual commitments.

Overall the accounts show a satisfactory financial position with available operating funds, referred to as Unrestricted Funds (those not restricted for the Lisbon Tour 2024, National Men United project, and Reserve) of £35,398 which is an increase of £9,429 from the previous financial year. The charity intends to continue its approach to seek funding through grants from the Arts Council for England and similar organisations to support the delivery of the charity’s objectives.

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

J Hanby

L Hatfield

A Viale

B Pengelly

A Welsford

J Macaulay

C Pearman

S Morris

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: 11[th] July 2024

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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 2024.

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.

Tom Wiltshire

Dated: 12[th] July 2024

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PETERBOROUGH SINGS!

PAYMENTS AND RECEIPTS ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MAY 2024

Total 2024 Total 2023
£ £
Income from:
Concerts 45,587 50,562
Donations 711 1,520
Education and Outreach 47,976 57,448
Gift Aid 7,755 6,881
Projects 33,164 19,018
Sundries 1,410 711
Subscriptions 39,943 32,898
Tours and Competitions 8,597 8,628
Uniforms 587 979
Interest 25 0
Riga Tour 2022 Member - 1,813
Payments
Lisbon Tour 2024 Member 8,813 0
Payments
Grants 35,500 21,063
Total Income **230,067 ** 201,521
Expenditure on:
Accommodation 9,925 6,011
Administration 14,149 12,798
Concerts 16,174 29,997
Education and Outreach 8,900 24,412
Projects 46,401 23,774
Staffing 104,796 102,427
Tours and Competitions 8,368 13,956
Uniforms 3,796 2,258
Riga 2022 Tour - 11,099
Total Expenditure **212,509 ** 226,732
Net income for the year **17,558 ** (25,212)

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Restricted Funds
Lisbon Tour 2024 8,813 -
Women's Choral Festival - 12,500
National MU 12,000 -
Reserve 60,000 60,000
Total Restricted funds **80,813 ** 72,500
Total Unrestricted funds **35,398 ** 25,969
End of year total funds **116,211 ** 98,652

The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 11[th] July 2024.

J Hanby

Trustee Dated: 11[th] July 2024

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PETERBOROUGH SINGS!

NOTES TO THE PAYMENTS AND RECEIPTS ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MAY 2024

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.

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

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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 2023-24

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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