REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1179203
Report of the Trustees and
Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 for Swindon Music Service
Monahans Chartered Accountants Hermes House Fire Fly Avenue Swindon Wiltshire SN2 2GA
Swindon Music Service
| Contents of the Financial Statements | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 | |||
| Page | |||
| Report of the Trustees | 1 | to | 4 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 5 | ||
| Statement of Financial Activities | 6 | ||
| Balance Sheet | 7 | ||
| Cash Flow Statement | 8 | ||
| Notes to the Cash Flow Statement | 9 | ||
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 10 | to | 17 |
Swindon Music Service
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice 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 2019).
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Objectives and aims
The objects of the charity are for the public benefit: to advance education particularly (but not exclusively) in relation to music; to advance the arts and culture, particularly (but not exclusively), by promoting and facilitating access to, performances of, and participation in performances of, music; to provide for the recreation of members of the public by providing equipment, facilities and services to them in the interests of social welfare with the object of improving their conditions of life. Nothing in this constitution shall authorise an application of the property of the charity for purposes which are not charitable in accordance with section 7 of the charities and trustee investment (Scotland) act 2005 and section 2 of the charities act (Northern Ireland) 2008.
The Charity aims to create opportunities which will deepen the interests and skills of children and young people from 0 to 18, and families and people of all ages in the community through providing a range of musical and social experiences. Music programmes in local schools will be delivered, supported and facilitated.
Public benefit
The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
This year the charity has become a member of a successful consortium bid to the Arts Council England/DfE to become the strategic lead, along with Gloucestershire Music - a department within Gloucestershire County council and The Music Works. The consortium leads the music hub for the geography of Gloucestershire, Swindon and Wiltshire through a collective called GSW Music Hub. The GSW Music Hub has a number of associate delivery partners, along with the three consortium members that it commissions to undertake various projects in school and the local communities.
SCHOOLS
-
Whole Class Ensemble Tuition (WCET): - SMS continues to successfully deliver this program to most primary schools. Our annual Needs Analysis confirms this as the most valued aspect of our services. We also offer schools in Wiltshire a portal where they apply for funding to support WCET, schools and then they pay the Associate tutors direct themselves
-
Progression Support: We've continued to expanded access to music education through our generous subsidies policy, offering 50-60% cost reductions for children from less privileged backgrounds. Fifty percent (50%) for schools' subsidies where pupils could access instrumental and vocal tuition with the hope that schools would supplement this with some funds from pupil premium. Sixty percent (60%) offered for instrumental and vocal tuition for out-of-school music lessons. This year, schools in Wiltshire can also apply for financial bursaries to help fund instrumental & vocal tuition during the school time.
-
Singing Strategy: Our popular school festivals at the Wyvern Theatre have fully rebounded, with schools enthusiastically participating once again. We delivered 5 concerts for KS 1 & 2 children. JTP (one of our delivery partners also delivered a full day's vocal workshop for KS 3 & 4 young people.
-
GCSE Music Enhancement: Once again we successfully held a live performance workshop, partnering with the prestigious Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra to support KS3-4 progression. This year saw 7 schools attend with 157 students in attendance.
-
Live Music Opportunities: Face-to-face Roadshows are delivered to schools, weekly groups and ensembles also continue to flourish seeing vibrant termly concerts at the Platform.
-
There are 14 schools' music clusters in Wiltshire that are coordinated by the Charity through 5 self-employed consultants.
Page 1
Swindon Music Service
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
COMMUNITY
-
Thriving Ensembles: Swindon Young Musicians has had yet another successful year playing at local events. Since January 2025, we had other music centre's being supported by the Charity such as: Salisbury Area Young Musicians, Wiltshire Young Musicians and a regional youth orchestra and Jazz collective.
-
Regional Leadership: We successfully hosted a Music for Youth regional festival, cementing our position as a key southwest centre. This year, once again, saw the Youth Wind Band perform at the National Festival held at Birmingham Symphony Hall organised by Music for Youth.
-
Effective Communication: We've maintained strong connections with schools, the community in Swindon, further developed effective communications with Wiltshire schools and local communities
This year demonstrates SMS's resilience, adaptability, and unwavering commitment to providing high-quality, accessible music education to all in our community, as well as taking on the strategic lead for Wiltshire.
Swindon Music Service: A Year of Growth and Success
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Financial position and principal funding sources
The charity has managed to achieve at total of £350,190 reserves to date. Free reserves (excluding fixed assets) of £345,460 have been achieved compared to the fifth-year target of £200k. It has also continued to secure the Department for Education (DfE) grant for music hubs administered through the Arts Council England (ACE).
Reserves policy
The Operating Reserve Fund is defined as the designated fund set aside by action of the trustee board. The minimum amount to be designated as operating reserves will be established as an amount sufficient to maintain ongoing operations and programs for a set period, measured in months. The operating reserve serves a dynamic role and will be reviewed and adjusted in response to internal and external changes. At a board meeting (held on 22nd March 2022), the Board of trustees agreed to adjust the projection to achieve the overall reserve fund to be achieved over an 8-year period as a result of succession planning coming out of the pandemic. During the next year, the board of trustees will review the level of reserves needed due to the extra responsibility the charity has within the consortium partnership. This is because Swindon Music Service is now the strategic lead and musical activities coordinator for Swindon and Wiltshire.
-
End of year four £139,612 2022/23 - End of year five £160,000 2023/24
-
End of year six £180,000 2024/25
-
End of year seven £200,000 2025/26
-
End of year eight £220,000 2026/27
The target minimum Operating Reserve Fund is equal to 6-months of average recurring operating costs. The actual calculation of average recurring operating costs is set out in the yearly budget monitoring process. The target of £220k is spread over 8-year period.
On 31 March 2025, the charity held total funds of £350,190 of which £4,730 are held as tangible fixed assets, leaving £345,460 as free reserves. This is above the target of £200k (See statement above about a review needed).
Principal risks and uncertainties
The charity continues to be reliant on the DfE grant to enable it to continue to offer the broad array of musical opportunities to the children and young people of Swindon and Wiltshire. Therefore the reserves fund needs to reflect the high risk being reliant on the DfE grant
FUTURE PLANS
Our future plans are to manage the partnerships arrangements and embed a formal commissioning process ensuring the process is open, transparent and fair within the partnership framework/matrix.
Through the Consortium Executive Team, we will continue to develop the hub's inclusion strategy and to offer grants to local delivery partners to support this strategy - to include opportunities for pupils from financially deprived families to access musical opportunities.
For SMS to develop, it will continue to look for ways in which it can diversify within the scope of its constitution to gain further income.
Page 2
Swindon Music Service
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governing document
The Charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. The governing document is an agreed constitution set out by SMS's lawyers and agreed with the charities commission.
Recruitment and appointment of new trustees
Recruitment:
New trustees are appointed by the current board of trustees. A Job Specification for potential trustees is available.
Appointment:
The selection and appointment is based on achieving a diverse set of skills across the board of trustees. All trustees must agree the appointment of a new trustee and approval is included in the board's minutes.
Organisational structure
The Board of Trustees:
The board oversee the financial budgeting and the services offered by the charity put forward by the Senior Leadership team (SLT) of the charity. The Chief Executive of the charity, a member of the newly formed Consortium Executive Team for the new music hub and is an ex-officio trustee and the chair of the SLT. The Board of Trustees also have several sub-groups that work closer with the SLT:
-
Internal Audit sub-group
-
HR sub-group
-
Finance/Fundraising sub-group
-
Public relations/Comms sub-group
The Chief Executive has been delegated the responsibility for the day-to-day running of the charity in collaboration with the SLT.
The charity also has 28 music/instrumental tutors (working through a worker's agreement) that deliver musical services for the charity. These tutors and apprentices are managed by the SLT. In addition, the charity coordinates 135 Wiltshire Associate (self-employed) tutors/organisations and consultants.
Induction and training of new trustees
New trustees receive access to induction materials on our centralised system (Governorhub). Training is offered when needed. There are also opportunities for trustees to attend national music education conferences and/or training. Local training is available through online resources.
Key management remuneration
The senior leadership team were TUPE'd across from the local authority to the new charity where they have pay and conditions through the national HAY pay structure. When any pay increases are announced nationally, the board of trustees will have oversight and will need to agree any further pay awards.
Risk management
The trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error.
The trustees confirm that major risks have been reviewed and systems or procedures have been established to manage those risks.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Charity number
1179203
Principal address
The Platform Faringdon Road Swindon Wiltshire SN1 5BJ
Page 3
Swindon Music Service
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
Trustees
Major P Clark Ex Officio Trustee and CEO R Dolz (Chair) J Haydon (Deputy Chair) E Chan V Ho B Durston L Matthews Dr Anne Sophie Rouziere K Jack - appointed 10 September 2024 D Eaton - Resigned April 2025
Independent Examiner
James Gare FCA DChA Monahans Chartered Accountants Hermes House Fire Fly Avenue Swindon Wiltshire SN2 2GA
Senior Management Team
Major (retd) P Clark - CEO Deputy Head of Music Services - Mrs J Clark Operations Delivery Manager - vacancy
Solicitors
Bates Wells Braithwaite 10 Queen Street Place London EC4R 1BE
Bankers
Metro Bank 1-4 Regent Street Swindon SN1 1JQ
Approved by order of the board of trustees on ............................................. and signed on its behalf by: 08/09/2025
R G Dolz
........................................................................ R G Dolz (Sep 8, 2025 16:39:22 GMT+1) R Dolz - Trustee
Page 4
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Swindon Music Service
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Swindon Music Service
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Swindon Music Service (the Trust) for the year ended 31 March 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under Section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner's statement
Since your charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a listed body. I can confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by Section 130 of the Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
-
the accounts 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 accounts to be reached.
James Gare FCA DChA
Monahans Chartered Accountants Hermes House Fire Fly Avenue Swindon Wiltshire SN2 2GA
Date: .............................................
Page 5
Swindon Music Service
Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
| Unrestricted fund Notes £ INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies 2 24,140 Charitable activities 4 Music Education 399,735 Other trading activities 3 5,770 Total 429,645 EXPENDITURE ON Raising funds 5 2,739 Charitable activities 6 Music Education 258,476 Total 261,215 NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) 168,430 RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 181,760 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 350,190 |
Restricted funds £ - 404,831 - 404,831 - 404,831 404,831 - - - |
2025 Total funds £ 24,140 804,566 5,770 834,476 2,739 663,307 666,046 168,430 181,760 350,190 |
2024 Total funds £ 18,600 556,537 4,822 579,959 1,287 580,721 582,008 (2,049) 183,809 181,760 |
|---|---|---|---|
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 6
Swindon Music Service
Balance Sheet 31 March 2025
| Unrestricted fund Notes £ FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets 13 4,730 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 14 190,841 Cash at bank and in hand 329,740 520,581 CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year 15 (175,121) NET CURRENT ASSETS 345,460 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 350,190 NET ASSETS 350,190 FUNDS 17 Unrestricted funds TOTAL FUNDS |
Restricted funds £ - - - - - - - - |
2025 Total funds £ 4,730 190,841 329,740 520,581 (175,121) 345,460 350,190 350,190 350,190 350,190 |
2024 Total funds £ 8,262 17,221 217,975 235,196 (61,698) 173,498 181,760 181,760 181,760 181,760 |
|---|---|---|---|
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on ............................................. and were signed on its behalf by: 08/09/2025
R G Dolz
R G Dolz (Sep 8, 2025 16:39:22 GMT+1)
.............................................
R Dolz - Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 7
Swindon Music Service
| Cash Flow Statement for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 2025 Notes £ Cash flows from operating activities Cash generated from operations 1 112,081 Net cash provided by operating activities 112,081 Cash flows from investing activities Purchase of tangible fixed assets (316) Net cash used in investing activities (316) Change in cash and cash equivalents in the reporting period 111,765 Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting period 217,975 Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period 329,740 |
2024 £ 44,533 44,533 (47) (47) 44,486 173,489 217,975 |
|---|---|
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 8
Swindon Music Service
Notes to the Cash Flow Statement for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
1. RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) TO NET CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
| ACTIVITIES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Net income/(expenditure) for the reporting period (as per the | |||
| Statement of Financial Activities) | 168,430 | (2,049) | |
| Adjustments for: | |||
| Depreciation charges | 3,848 | 35,982 | |
| (Increase)/decrease in debtors | (173,620) | 14,104 | |
| Increase/(decrease) in creditors | 113,423 | (3,504) | |
| Net cash provided by operations | 112,081 | 44,533 | |
| ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET FUNDS | |||
| Net cash | At 1.4.24 £ |
Cash flow £ |
At 31.3.25 £ |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 217,975 | 111,765 | 329,740 |
| 217,975 | 111,765 | 329,740 | |
| Total | 217,975 | 111,765 | 329,740 |
2. ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET FUNDS
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 9
Swindon Music Service
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparing the financial statements
The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice 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 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
The financial statements have been prepared to give a ‘true and fair view’ and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a ‘true and fair view’. This departure has involved following the Accounting and Reporting by Charities Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) issued on 16 July 2014 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn.
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 and rounded to the nearest pound.
The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the Charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.
Legal status of the charity and General Information
The charity is a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO). The registered office address can be found in the Trustees' Report.
Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty
Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.
Critical accounting estimates and assumptions
The charity makes estimates and assumptions concerning the future. The resulting accounting estimates and assumptions will, by definition, seldom equal the related actual results. There are no critical accounting estimates or assumptions.
Critical areas of judgement
There are no critical areas of judgement.
Income
Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the item(s) of income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
For legacies, entitlement is taken as the earlier of the date on which either: the charity is aware that probate has been granted, the estate has been finalised and notification has been made by the executor(s) to the Trust that a distribution will be made, or when a distribution is received from the estate. Receipt of a legacy, in whole or in part, is only considered probable when the amount can be measured reliably and the charity has been notified of the executor’s intention to make a distribution. Where legacies have been notified to the charity, or the charity is aware of the granting of probate, and the criteria for income recognition have not been met, then the legacy is a treated as a contingent asset and disclosed if material.
Income from government and other grants, whether ‘capital’ grants or ‘revenue’ grants, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.
Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the Bank.
Trading income is included in incoming resources in the SOFA and trading costs are included in resources expended. Income represents commissions receivable, excluding value added tax.
Page 10
continued...
Swindon Music Service
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued
Expenditure
All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. 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. It is categorised under the following headings:
-
Costs of raising funds includes of insert details;
-
Expenditure on charitable activities includes insert details; and
-
Other expenditure represents those items not falling into the categories above.
Irrecoverable VAT is charged as an expense against the activity for which expenditure arose.
Tangible fixed assets
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.
Music equipment - 20% on straight line basis Fixtures and fittings - 25% on straight line basis Computer equipment - 33% on straight line basis
Fixed assets costing in excess of £500 are capitalised.
Taxation
The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds are donations and other income received or generated for the objects of the charity without further specified purpose and are available as general funds.
Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the Trustees for particular purposes.
Restricted funds are to be used for specified purposes as laid down by the donor which have been raised by the charity for specific purposes. Expenditure which meets these criteria is identified to the fund.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits
Retirement benefits to employees of the Charity are provided by the Local Government Pension Scheme ('LGPS'), a defined benefit scheme, and NEST, a defined contribution scheme.
Defined benefit scheme
Under the transfer agreement from the local authority, the charity's deficit at each actuarial valuation of the Fund is capped at £45,000. The employer's contributions made to the scheme plus the payments made to the local authority as part of the Pension Escrow are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities as incurred.
Defined contribution scheme
The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund, NEST. The costs of the defined contribution arrangements are charged as incurred.
Donated goods, services and facilities
Donated goods, services and facilities are recognised as income when the charity has control over the item, any conditions associated with the donated item have been met, the receipt of economic benefit from the use by the charity of the item is probable and that economic benefit can be measured reliably. In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), general volunteer time is not recognised and refer to the trustees’ annual report for more information about their contribution.
On receipt, donated goods, services and facilities are recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the charity which is the amount the charity would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market; a corresponding amount is then recognised in expenditure in the period of receipt.
Goods donated for on-going use by a charity in carrying out its activities are recognised as tangible fixed assets with the corresponding gain recognised as income from donations within the SoFA. Donated vehicles, plant or furniture are recognised as tangible fixed assets when their fair value exceeds the threshold for capitalisation set by the charity’s accounting policy.
Page 11
continued...
Swindon Music Service
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued
Financial instruments
The charitable trust only holds basic financial instruments as defined in FRS 102. The financial assets and financial liabilities of the academy trust and their measurement basis are as follows:
Financial assets - trade and other debtors are basic financial instruments and are debt instruments measured at amortised cost. Prepayments are not financial instruments. Amounts due to the charity’s wholly owned subsidiary are held at face value less any impairment.
Cash at bank - is classified as a basic financial instrument and is measured at face value.
Financial liabilities - trade creditors, accruals and other creditors are financial instruments, and are measured at amortised cost. Taxation and social security are not included in the financial instruments disclosure definition. Deferred income is not deemed to be a financial liability, as the cash settlement has already taken place and there is an obligation to deliver services rather than cash or another financial instrument. Amounts due to charity’s wholly owned subsidiary are held at face value less any impairment.
Operating leases
Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities as incurred.
Redundancy / Termination payments
Termination benefits are measured at the best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the obligation at the reporting date. If the expected settlement date of the termination payments is 12 months or more after making the provision and the effect would be material, the present value of the obligation is calculated using an appropriate discount rate.
2. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES
| Donations Membership income 3. OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES Café and premises hire income 4. INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES Activity Grants Music Education Fees from Schools Music Education Fees from Parents Music Education Grants received, included in the above, are as follows: Arts Council England Gloucestershire County Council |
2025 £ 7,609 16,531 24,140 2025 £ 5,770 2025 £ 542,267 174,591 87,708 804,566 2025 £ 137,436 404,831 542,267 |
2024 £ 368 18,232 18,600 2024 £ 4,822 2024 £ 329,845 148,692 78,000 556,537 2024 £ 329,845 - 329,845 |
|---|---|---|
Page 12
continued...
Swindon Music Service
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
5. RAISING FUNDS
Raising donations and legacies
| 2025 £ Café costs 2,739 6. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS Direct Support Costs (see costs (see note 7) note 8) £ £ Music Education 634,420 28,887 7. DIRECT COSTS OF CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES 2025 £ Staff costs 413,279 Rent 20,000 Insurance 23,970 Light and heat 14,298 Telephone 3,741 Postage and stationery 5,467 Advertising 2,060 Tuition bursaries and grants paid 53,991 Freelancers 18,015 Exam fees 1,043 Instrument repairs and consumables 5,338 Licences 13,958 Computer costs 11,406 Other costs 44,005 Depreciation 3,849 634,420 8. SUPPORT COSTS Governance Management costs £ £ Music Education 23,507 5,380 Support costs, included in the above, are as follows: 2025 Music Education £ Legal, HR and consultancy 23,507 Accountancy and independent examination 5,380 28,887 |
2024 £ 1,287 Totals £ 663,307 2024 £ 403,123 20,000 19,921 10,233 1,726 2,825 614 7,122 4,757 947 2,996 14,652 7,537 33,943 35,982 566,378 Totals £ 28,887 2024 Total activities £ 9,001 5,342 14,343 |
|---|---|
Page 13
continued...
Swindon Music Service
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
9. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
The Ex Officio Trustee, P Clark, is employed by the Charity, as per the Charity's constitution, as Chief Executive Officer, and earned gross salary of £55,663 (2024: £55,592) and employers pension contribution of £6,736 (2024: £10,118).
There were no other trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2025 nor the year ended 31 March 2024.
Trustees' expenses
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2025 nor for the year ended 31 March 2024.
10. STAFF COSTS
| Wages and salaries Social security costs Other pension costs The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows: Music teachers CEO |
2025 £ 369,555 21,606 22,118 413,279 2025 31 1 32 |
2024 £ 359,787 19,707 23,629 403,123 2024 27 1 28 |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.
The key management personnel of the charity comprise the Trustees and the senior management personnel as listed on page 2. The total employee benefits of the key management personnel of the charity were £127,480 (2024 : £141,153).
11. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
| Unrestricted fund £ INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies 18,600 Charitable activities Music Education 556,537 Other trading activities 4,822 Total 579,959 EXPENDITURE ON Raising funds 1,287 Charitable activities Music Education 580,721 Total 582,008 NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) (2,049) |
Restricted funds £ - - - - - - - - |
Total funds £ 18,600 556,537 4,822 579,959 1,287 580,721 582,008 (2,049) |
|---|---|---|
Page 14
continued...
Swindon Music Service
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
11. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued
| COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued | COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted fund £ RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 183,809 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 181,760 GOVERNMENT GRANT INCOME |
Restricted funds £ - - |
Total funds £ 183,809 181,760 |
|
| Arts Council England Gloucester County Council |
2025 2024 £ £ 137,436 329,845 404,831 - |
12. GOVERNMENT GRANT INCOME
There were no unfulfilled conditions or other contingencies attached to these grants. The charity has not directly benefited from any other forms of government assistance other than Swindon Borough Council have agreed to cap the charity's LGPS liability at £45,000 (see note 18).
13. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
| Music equipment £ COST At 1 April 2024 174,556 Additions 44 At 31 March 2025 174,600 DEPRECIATION At 1 April 2024 166,294 Charge for year 3,759 At 31 March 2025 170,053 NET BOOK VALUE At 31 March 2025 4,547 At 31 March 2024 8,262 DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Trade debtors Prepayments |
Fixtures and fittings £ 3,351 272 3,623 3,351 89 3,440 183 - |
Computer equipment £ 18,186 - 18,186 18,186 - 18,186 - - 2025 £ 155,629 35,212 190,841 |
Totals £ 196,093 316 196,409 187,831 3,848 191,679 4,730 8,262 2024 £ 15,033 2,188 17,221 |
|---|---|---|---|
14. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
Page 15
continued...
Swindon Music Service
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
15. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
| Trade creditors Social security and other taxes Accruals and deferred income |
2025 £ 39,508 6,969 128,644 175,121 |
2024 £ 886 8,163 52,649 61,698 |
|---|---|---|
At the balance sheet date the charity was holding funds of £124,324 (2024: £48,821) received in advance for the April-July 2025 school term.
16. LEASING AGREEMENTS
Minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases fall due as follows:
| Within one year Between one and five years MOVEMENT IN FUNDS Unrestricted funds General fund TOTAL FUNDS Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Music education services TOTAL FUNDS Comparatives for movement in funds Unrestricted funds General fund TOTAL FUNDS |
At 1.4.24 £ 181,760 181,760 Incoming resources £ 429,645 404,831 834,476 At 1.4.23 £ 183,809 183,809 |
2025 2024 £ £ 20,000 20,000 56,667 76,667 76,667 96,667 Net movement At in funds 31.3.25 £ £ 168,430 350,190 168,430 350,190 Resources Movement expended in funds £ £ (261,215) 168,430 (404,831) - (666,046) 168,430 Net movement At in funds 31.3.24 £ £ (2,049) 181,760 (2,049) 181,760 |
|---|---|---|
17. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
Page 16
continued...
Swindon Music Service
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
17. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Unrestricted funds General fund TOTAL FUNDS |
Incoming resources £ 579,959 579,959 |
Resources Movement expended in funds £ £ (582,008) (2,049) (582,008) (2,049) |
|---|---|---|
Music education services - funding from Gloucestershire County Council as part of the Arts Council England funding for the delivery of music education services in the Swindon, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire area.
18. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT OBLIGATIONS
The pension cost charge representing contributions payable by the charity to NEST amounted to £4,737 (2024: £3,763). At 31 March 2025, contributions of £Nil (2024: £NIL) were payable.
The pension cost charge representing contributions payable by the charity to the LGPS amounted to £17,382 (2024: £19,866). At 31 March 2025, contributions of £Nil (2024: £NIL) were payable.
Pension Escrow
The transfer agreement with Swindon Borough Council (SBC) included an escrow that caps the charity's liability to exit the LGPS scheme at £45,000. If the liability to exit the scheme is lower than £45k then the charity will receive the remainder.
In previous years, the Charity paid the sum of £45,000 over to SBC over a three year period commencing 1 April 2019 in quarterly instalments. The payments were recognised as an expense in the statement of financial activities upon payment.
19. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
The spouse of Ex Officio Trustee and Chief Executive Officer P Clark, is employed by the charity as singing champion/early years manager and was paid gross salary of £43,106 (2024: £44,406) and employers pension contributions of £10,645 (2024: £8,082).
Page 17
sms for signing[40]
Final Audit Report
2025-09-08
Created: 2025-09-08 By: Peter Clark (pclark@smscio.co.uk) Status: Signed Transaction ID: CBJCHBCAABAAj127kCAJSsdp-cAyjDWMi15DWtnVtr7g
"sms for signing[40]" History
Document created by Peter Clark (pclark@smscio.co.uk)
2025-09-08 - 13:53:30 GMT- IP address: 51.219.164.62
Document emailed to r.dolz@btinternet.com for signature
2025-09-08 - 13:55:54 GMT
Email viewed by r.dolz@btinternet.com
2025-09-08 - 15:37:10 GMT- IP address: 5.81.86.233
- Signer r.dolz@btinternet.com entered name at signing as R G Dolz
2025-09-08 - 15:39:20 GMT- IP address: 5.81.86.233
Document e-signed by R G Dolz (r.dolz@btinternet.com)
Signature Date: 2025-09-08 - 15:39:22 GMT - Time Source: server- IP address: 5.81.86.233
Agreement completed.
2025-09-08 - 15:39:22 GMT