Leeds Vocal Movement
Charity Number: 1177305
Trustees' Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Period 1 Aug 2024 to 31 Jul 2025
May 2026
LVM Report & Accounts 2024-25
Leeds Vocal Movement Trustees' Annual Report for the Period Ended 31 Jul 2025
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Leeds Vocal Movement
Trustees' Annual Report for the Period Ended 31 Jul 2025
Reference & Administration Details
Charity name: Leeds Vocal Movement
Charity number: 1177305
Charity's operating address: 2 Petrie Street, Leeds
Postcode: LS13 1NA
Names of the Charity Trustees who Manage the Charity (Add extra rows as required)
| Trustee Name | Office(if any) | Appointed | Retired | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1: | Thomas George | Chair | 22 Nov 2019 | |
| 2: | Aidan Stirk | 19 Jan 2023 | ||
| 3: | Oscar Webber | 19 Jan 2023 | ||
| 4: | Alexandra Paixao Costa | 21 Sep 2023 | 06 Jan 2026 | |
| 5: | Daniel Gordon | Treasurer | 02 Jan 2025 | |
| 6: | Scott Wiseman | 01 Feb 2025 | ||
| 7: | Tarragon Swift | 01 Mar 2025 | ||
| 8: | Sophie Baines | 05 Jan 2026 | ||
| 9: | Matilda Slade | 05 Jan 2026 | ||
| 10: | Thomas Ronayne | 05 Jan 2026 |
Names & Addresses of Advisors
Name Address & Postcode Bank: Santander 10 Park Row, Leeds LS1 5HD
Names of Senior Staff with Delegated Responsibilities
Name
- 1: Elizabeth Leather
Role
Musical Director
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Leeds Vocal Movement
Trustees' Annual Report for the Period Ended 31 Jul 2025
Structure, Governance & Management
Description of the Charity's Trusts
Type of Governing Document: Constitution
How the Charity is Constituted: Charitable Incorporated Organisation (Foundation)
Trustee Selection Methods: Appointment
How New Trustees are Standard handover & training from predecessor Inducted and Trained:
Objectives & Activities
Summary of the Objects of the Charity as set out in its Governing Document
To advance, improve, develop and maintain public education in, and appreciation of, the art and science of music in all its aspects by any means the trustees see fit, including through the presentation of public concerts and recitals.
Summary of the Main Activities Undertaken for the Public Benefit in Relation to the Charity's Objects
Regularly rehearsed membership choir, holding regular public concerts
Public Workshops
Achievements & Performance
Statutory Declaration
The trustees declare that they have complied with their duty to have due regard to the guidance on public benefit published by the commission in exercising their powers or duties.
Summary of the Main Achievements of the Charity for the Year
Leeds Vocal Movement started the year in a strong position, following the appointment of Elizabeth Leather as permanent Musical Director and Grace Middleton as permanent Accompanist. Both Elizabeth and Grace had initially joined the choir to cover maternity leave in the previous year, and we were delighted to confirm them in their permanent roles. Their musicianship, energy and leadership have already made a significant contribution to the choir.
Term 1 began with open rehearsals, welcoming both returning and new singers and starting the year with 54 permanent members - level with the previous year. We continued to rehearse regularly at Leeds City College, benefitting once again from their generous charity rate, and we would again like to thank LCC for their ongoing support of the choir.
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Leeds Vocal Movement
Trustees' Annual Report for the Period Ended 31 Jul 2025
LVM continued its successful partnership with Cornerstone Baptist Church, with Term 1 culminating in a Christmas concert there in December 2024 with over 120 attendees. Cornerstone has become an important venue for the choir, providing a warm and supportive setting for our performances, and we were pleased to return there for another festive event.
In May 2025, LVM performed at a newly opened Leeds venue, The Attic. This concert represented an exciting opportunity to try a different performance space and style, and to experiment with a more themed approach to programming. The concert was more informal than most previous performances, and was based around English folk music and the month of May. This was a successful innovation for LVM and demonstrated the choir’s willingness to develop creatively while continuing to make choral music accessible and enjoyable.
The year concluded with a summer concert, again in partnership with Cornerstone Baptist Church. Returning to Cornerstone gave the choir another opportunity to build on its relationship with the venue and to perform for the local community.
LVM also began preparations for the choir’s 15th anniversary, an important milestone in the charity’s history. Planning for this anniversary has provided an opportunity to reflect on how far the choir has come, the community it has built, and the role it continues to play in widening access to choral singing in Leeds. The trustees would like to thank Elizabeth, Grace, our members, volunteers, supporters, Leeds City College, Cornerstone Baptist Church and all those who have contributed to another successful year for Leeds Vocal Movement.
Financial Review
Overview
Leeds Vocal Movement has continued in a stable financial position throughout 2024-25. A significant donation was received in early 2024-25 from the Serpentine Trust, following a collaboration with them in 2023-24. This offset a shortfall in participants' fee income against budget, allowing us to review and increase fees paid to musical professionals in line with market movements.
Whilst the charity generated a cash surplus in 2024-25 and retains funds above its reserves policy, it should be noted that significant expenses relating to hire and printing of sheet music incurred in both 2023-24 and 2024-25 had not been paid before the end of this reporting period. These expenses, totalling £2,300, were paid in early 2026 and will therefore appear in the Receipts and Payments account for 2025-26. New arrangements have been made to support prompt payment of costs.
The charity trustees will continue to review both anticipated expenditure and required income to support the charity’s ongoing financial sustainability. Due to increases in various costs, including venue hire and music purchase, printing and hire, it is likely that participation fees & performance ticket prices will need to be increased to avoid deficits. Careful consideration will be given to the impacts of any change in participation and accessibility, and alternative funding routes such as grant applications or fundraising activities will also be explored.
Brief Statement of the Charity's Policy on Reserves
Leeds Vocal Movement will hold sufficient reserves to enable the long-term sustainability of the charity. The reserves held will cover one term of standard operating costs, to enable the choir to continue in the event of a loss of external funding or other major financial event impacting on the ability of members to contribute their membership fees.
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Leeds Vocal Movement Trustees' Annual Report for the Period Ended 31 Jul 2025
This policy will be reviewed annually in line with the budgeting and planning process to ensure that the reserves policy does not restrict the ability of Leeds Vocal Movement to grow or to enhance operations.
Leeds Vocal Movement currently maintains a minimum cash reserve of £2,500 to be used for the purposes outlined above; however this will be reviewed during the 2025-26 year in light of rising costs.
Details of Any Funds Materially in Deficit
There is no material deficit on any fund
Statutory Notes to the Accounts
Particulars of Any Outstanding Guarantee Given by the CIO
There is no outstanding guarantee given by the CIO.
Particulars of Any Outstanding Debt
There is no outstanding debt.
Other Optional Information
Not applicable.
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Leeds Vocal Movement Trustees' Annual Report for the Period Ended 31 Jul 2025
Declaration
The Trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees' Report above.
Signed on behalf of the Charity's Trustees
Signature(s): T George D Gordon Full Name(s): Thomas George Daniel Gordon Position(s): Chair Treasurer Date: 29 May 2026 29 May 2026
Independent Examiner’s Report on the Accounts
Due to the small size of Leeds Vocal Movement, an independent examiner’s report is not required.
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Leeds Vocal Movement
Trustees' Annual Report for the Period Ended 31 Jul 2025
| CC16a Section A Receipts and payments | CC16a Section A Receipts and payments | CC16a Section A Receipts and payments | CC16a Section A Receipts and payments | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted funds |
Restricted funds |
Endowment funds |
Total funds | Last year | |||
| to the nearest £ |
to the nearest £ |
to the nearest £ |
to the nearest £ |
to the nearest £ |
|||
| A1 Receipts | |||||||
| Membershipincome | £7,345.00 | £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 |
£0.00 | £7,345.00 £3,342.07 £1,120.00 £0.00 £189.00 £0.00 |
£7,110.00 | ||
| Concert income | £3,342.07 | £0.00 | £2,340.68 | ||||
| Donations | £1,120.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | ||||
| Interest | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | ||||
| Social | £189.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | ||||
| Grant | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | ||||
| Sub total (Gross income for AR) |
£11,996.07 |
£0.00 |
£0.00 | £11,996.07 |
£9,450.68 | ||
| A2 Asset and investment sales |
|||||||
| Folders | £130.00 | £0.00 |
£0.00 | £130.00 |
£50.00 | ||
| Sub total | £130.00 | £0.00 |
£0.00 | £130.00 |
£50.00 | ||
| Total receipts | £12,126.07 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £12,126.07 | £9,500.68 | ||
| A3 Payments | |||||||
| Wages | £7,476.01 | £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 |
£0.00 | £7,476.01 £1,970.00 £188.00 £0.00 £0.00 £427.77 £270.00 £0.00 |
£6,307.00 | ||
| Venue costs | £1,970.00 | £0.00 | £1,340.02 | ||||
| Insurance | £188.00 | £0.00 | £256.72 | ||||
| Expenses | £0.00 | £0.00 | £379.73 | ||||
| Refunds | £0.00 | £0.00 | £10.00 | ||||
| Web & Marketing | £427.77 | £0.00 | £113.20 | ||||
| Social | £270.00 | £0.00 | £50.00 | ||||
| Workshops | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | ||||
| Sub total | £10,331.78 | £0.00 |
£0.00 | £10,331.78 |
£8,456.67 | ||
| A4 Asset and investment purchases |
|||||||
| Folders | £0.00 | £0.00 £0.00 |
£0.00 | £0.00 £0.00 |
£300.00 | ||
| Music | £0.00 | £0.00 | £532.24 | ||||
| Sub total | £0.00 | £0.00 |
£0.00 | £0.00 |
£832.24 | ||
| Total payments | £10,331.78 | £0.00 |
£0.00 | £10,331.78 | £9,288.91 | ||
| Net of receipts/(payments) | £1,794.29 | £0.00 |
£0.00 | £1,794.29 |
£211.77 | ||
| A5 Transfers between funds | £0.00 | £0.00 £425.00 |
£0.00 | £0.00 £4,133.78 |
£0.00 | ||
| A6 Cash funds last year end | £3,708.78 | £0.00 | £3,497.01 | ||||
| Cash funds this year end | £5,503.07 | £425.00 |
£0.00 | £5,928.07 |
£3,708.78 |
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Leeds Vocal Movement
Trustees' Annual Report for the Period Ended 31 Jul 2025
| Section B Statement | of assets and liabilities at the end of the period | of assets and liabilities at the end of the period | of assets and liabilities at the end of the period | of assets and liabilities at the end of the period | of assets and liabilities at the end of the period | of assets and liabilities at the end of the period | of assets and liabilities at the end of the period | of assets and liabilities at the end of the period | of assets and liabilities at the end of the period |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Categories | Details | Unrestricted funds |
Restricted funds |
Endowment funds |
|||||
| to nearest £ | to nearest £ | to nearest £ | |||||||
| B1 Cash funds | Total funds | £5,503.07 | £425.00 | - | |||||
| Total cash funds | £5,503.07 | £425.00 | - | ||||||
| (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) |
OK | OK | OK | ||||||
| Unrestricted funds |
Restricted funds |
Endowment funds |
|||||||
| Details | to nearest £ | to nearest £ | to nearest £ | ||||||
| B2 Other monetary assets | - | - | - | ||||||
| Details | Fund to which asset belongs |
Cost (optional) | Current value (optional) |
||||||
| B3 Investment assets | - | - | |||||||
| Details | Fund to which asset belongs |
Cost (optional) | Current value (optional) |
||||||
| B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use |
Choir folders | Unrestricted | - | £370 | |||||
| Card machine | Unrestricted | - | - | ||||||
| Music | Unrestricted | - | - | ||||||
| Details | Fund to which liability relates |
Amount due (optional) |
When due (optional) |
||||||
| B5 Liabilities | - | ||||||||
| Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees |
Signature | Print Name | Date of approval |
||||||
| T George | Thomas George | 29 May 26 | |||||||
| D Gordon | Daniel Gordon | 29 May 26 |
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