Treasurer’s Report for the AGM held on Monday, 24th February 2025
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Nicci for reading out my report this year. I
have unfortunately lost my voice.
A copy of the Receipts and Payments statement for year ended 31/12/2024 is available for
everybody to see at this meeting.
The accounts have been examined by Marian Yates, who was elected as our honorary
auditor at last year’s AGM. She has certified that they are a true representation of the
company’s financial records for 2024, and these figures will be reported to the Charity
Commission later in the year.
You will see from the ‘Receipts and Payments’ sheet that 2024 has been another good year
for the company. Unfortunately, the overall figures for the year do show a loss, which I will try to explain.
During the summer, we performed two shows: an adult play, ‘Stags and Hens’ by Willy Russell, and our youth group performed ‘Bugsy Malone.’
The committee decided to have cabaret-style seating, rather than rows for ‘Stags and Hens’. This meant that we could not possibly sell enough tickets for the show to break even, taking into account the costs of performing it at Merchant Taylors, and the limit on ticket prices. As it happened, the bar takings more than made up for any deficit in audience numbers, and everybody had a wonderful time! Our youth show, ‘Bugsy Malone’ was well
received, and made a healthy profit in its own right. So overall, the two summer shows
made a profit of £3399, which included extra income from the bar, raffles, spot the ball etc.
The Pantomime, ‘The Grinch’, was an outstanding success in every way, and made a very
healthy profit of £12,340, which I think is a record for the company! Many thanks to
everyone who made this possible. I’m sure Nicci will thank you all in her report, but we are
very grateful to everyone who helps out in every way, with even the smallest of things.
So, you may be wondering how we have ended up with a loss on the accounts, given that
our shows have been so financially successful. This is easy to explain. We have bought lots
of things!
Over the past few years, we have been actively fundraising to purchase our own sound
equipment, among other things. So, in 2024, we bought our own microphones and
backstage communication equipment, costing over £5,000. We also spent over £5,000 on the Metrodeck flexible staging, which has been used in every show this year. We bought
costumes for ‘Bugsy Malone’, which works out cheaper than hiring them in. We even
bought costumes, props and scenery with ‘Oliver’ in mind. We have continued to hire out costumes and scenery to other companies and raised over £1000 by doing this in 2024. We hope to continue this in the future, and have several bookings in the pipeline.
Storage costs appear much higher this year, but they include paying for the hard-standing
at Eshe Road, and the purchase of a new shed. We have been refunded for the concreting
and hope to sell the shed. Other expenses have moved in line with inflation. These include our NODA membership and insurance.
As you will all know, we have had to find new premises for scenery, costumes and
rehearsals. We have been very fortunate in finding suitable places, with very little notice given to us, and at very similar rental rates. There have been some unexpected expenses associated with the move, such as van hire and the hire of several skips.
Our fundraising events were well supported in 2024, with the Easter and Christmas bingo
nights raising a total of £2,125. The bucket collection at Asda raised an extra £129. Not a huge amount, but every little helps.
At the end of 2024, we were once again selected as a Co-op local charity. Please do your best to support the company by becoming a Co-op member. Family members and friends
in other parts of the country are also allowed to support us, so please spread the word!
We were very fortunate this year in receiving a large charitable donation of £2,500 from the Duchy of Lancaster Benevolent Fund. We also received a donation from the Crosby and District Lions Association. Many thanks go to our President, Julie Lawson, for putting us forward for the award from the Duchy of Lancaster. There were several smaller donations,
for which we are grateful. These included the generous decision of many members to
donate their script deposits.
The company also supported the wider community by providing free seats for Bugsy Malone to a group of disadvantaged children and their families. This was achieved by asking for donations. The amount we received from members, local businesses and the wider public paid for all the seats, plus sweets for all of the children. Thanks again to Julie Lawson for reaching out to her contacts in the local business community.
I hope that this helps to explain the figures for 2024. Here’s to a successful 2025, with much less in the way of disruption for the company. Fingers crossed!
Clare Hyams, Hon Treasurer
24[th] February 2025
– STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS FOR FINANCIAL YEAR 01/01/2024 31/12/2024
| RECEIPTS 2024 | |
|---|---|
| £ | |
| Sundries | 5,606 |
| Charitable grants | 2,945 |
| Members subcriptons | 1,380 |
| NODA awards | 989 |
| Rehearsal and auditon fees | 746 |
| Summer shows tckets | 10,345 |
| Summer shows other income | 6,125 |
| PANTO 2024 tckets | 16,845 |
| PANTO 2024 other income | 4,202 |
| Fundraising events | 2,496 |
| Gif Aid | 0 |
| Scenery & Costume hire | 1,900 |
| TOTAL RECEIPTS | 53,579 |
| PAYMENTS 2024 | |
|---|---|
| £ | |
| Sundries | 4,047 |
| Storage | 7,393 |
| General scenery, props, costumes | 17,431 |
| NODA membership | 230 |
| NODA insurance | 1,078 |
| NODA awards | 1,103 |
| Summer shows | 13,071 |
| PANTO 2024 | 8,707 |
| Fundraising events | 242 |
| Scenery and Costume hire postage etc. | 842 |
| TOTAL PAYMENTS | 54,144 |
This represents a small loss for the year of £564.72
At the year end, the company had a bank balance of £34,616.75 and no cash on hand. There were no outstanding payments.
REpoirf OF THE TREASURER The Receipts and Paymcnts Acc4)unt has been prepared by myself and I believe it to be a true and fair account of the affairs of the company ..C Hyams Date ACCOUNTANTS REPORT We have examiDed the records of the Company used in the preparation of the Receipts and Payments Accou1 and lieve it to be an accurdte statement of th¢ Company's affairs. V.F.M. Accountants 17 Neville Road Wa erloo L22 ONJ 19 Febn] 2025