The Davey Consort CIO Annual Report Year ending 31[st] December 2021.
Professional performers and musicians were more badly affected by the Covid 19 Pandemic than almost any comparable profession. Therefore, 2022 was for many a chance to begin to rebuild their careers and inevitably that necessity has impacted the activity of Davey Consort CIO.
The trustees have therefore endeavoured to make the most of progress in 2021 and use this to ready the CIO for the next phase.
Objectives:
To meet the educational and outreach ambitions of the CIO it was necessary first to raise sufficient funds to acquire the 13.5 rank instrument which had been commissioned from Master Organ builder, Bernard Aubertin and install it in the home of the consort, the recently restored, Wardell, Grade II * Listed, Church of St Birinus in Dorchester on Thames. In 2021 the organ was finally installed in St Birinus. It needs time to settle, and trustees envisage that it will not be until late in 2022 or early in 2023 that the organ contract will be signed-off.
In 2021 the trustees identified a grant scheme sponsored by the Department of Culture, Media & Sports for which CIO organ project seemed to be eligible. Discussions with the Listed Places of Worship Scheme (LPOWS) in late 2021 finally led trustees to conclude the Aubertin Organ VAT costs would be eligible for and wholly covered by a grant. After the import of the organ and payment of the VAT, the CIO made an application to the LPOWS. This proved successful early in 2022 and consequently, the CIO currently holds a balance of
£58k in hand of which £23k covers required the final stage payment due to Bernard Aubertin.
In the intervening years between commission and installation of the organ, the Davey Consort had established a reliable programme of sacred music at St Birinus each Sunday and on each major feast. The music has laid emphasis on plainchant and polyphony but now we have the organ it is envisaged that the range of music will also include organ masses and other rarely played instrumental music used as a general accompaniment to Mass from the early Baroque period onwards.
The pandemic and its aftermath have made it difficult to organise a complimentary programme of public concerts and outreach via a choral pilgrimage to outlying churches. However, it continues to be a priority for future years for the CIO to bring world class performance of sacred music to a wider non-denominational audience in the South Oxfordshire area
In order to sustain these trustees also envisage it will be necessary to establish scholarships and a program of wider educational outreach. These educational objects remain at the heart of the Davey Consort’s endeavour to create a centre of excellence for the performance of sacred music primarily in the context of Catholic liturgy and but also in other settings accessible to the wider community.
Whilst the long-identified need to expand the trustee base, to help take forward the Davey Consort’s ambitious mission, remains a priority, the current trustees have recognised that attracting trustees with the right experience, requires the CIO not only to have brought the first phase (the acquisition of the Aubertin organ) to its successful conclusion but also to provide clearly identified future objectives.
Activities:
In 2021 fund-raising efforts remained concentrated upon the completion of the Aubertin Organ. We once again attracted generous private donations but equally succeeded in attracting support from Backstage Trust. Altogether the CIO raised £115500.00 in donations for the organ project.
Music for Sunday Mass restored in September 2020 was suspended in 2021. Livestreaming Sunday Mass continued whilst the Sunday Obligation was suspended. These wellreceived livestreams have featured a wide range of Renaissance polyphony and particularly neglected works by Palestrina. Gregorian chant and Renaissance polyphony form the core of Davey Consort repertoire including neglected compositions by the English masters like Parsons and Tye as well as Byrd and Tallis.
We have a performance archive of these occasions. The Consort fully realises both the spiritual and artistic intent of these composers, by offering a unique opportunity for worshippers and a wider public, including artists, students of liturgy and Christian worship and historians, to experience this sacred music in its fullest integrity of religious expression.
The success of livestream has also created opportunities for fundraising activities focused on-line rather than through the medium of concerts. We are currently exploring the possibility of performing an entire Byrd repertoire in a 24-hour online fundraiser.
The Aubertin Organ:
The Aubertin Organ enables this vision for a world class music repertoire of the Davey Consort to be realised. Its installation in late 2021 immediately aroused wide interest amongst the community of organists. However, settling the instrument before final modifications by Aubertin means recitals and concerts a will only become a full reality in 2023.
As previously noted, the trustees (excluding Ryan Wigglesworth and Fr John Osman who have an interest in the
matter) had resolved to acquire the title to the organ once it was installed in St Birinus. This remains the case. Novation of this interest cannot complete until the final stage payment is made to Aubertin after the installation is signed off by Ryan Wigglesworth and Fr John Osman. It is envisaged this will happen in the last quarter of 2022.
Achievements and Performance:
Trustees have compiled and updated a Foundation document that sets out a vision for the future of the Davey Consort. Special priority for Safeguarding policy and other matters of practice related to management of singers of potential scholars continue to be a priority for the trustees.
It has developed polices for Scholarships and their award.
It has made approaches to a wide range of music and arts bodies including successful applications to the Portman, Garfield Weston Foundation and Backstage Trust.
We now seek to build a relationship with new donors to take forward the ambitious project for the next phase, which includes building a rehearsal space and creating an archive which will not only house the CIO’s growing library but will form a permanent home for the valuable archive of renowned musicologist Dr Mary Berry who has played a decisive role preserving singing of plainchant. Trustees have preliminary agreement that both these will located within in the parish demesne of St Birinus Dorchester-on-Thames. Thus, the hardest problem of acquiring suitable land has already been met in principle. Trustees have commissioned a design and preliminary planning work together with an initial budget, as the basis for the next phase of fundraising.
By the end of 2021 we had almost completed fundraising to pay for the organ project has been brought to a successful conclusion.
A music programme at St Birinus has been sustained in very difficult circumstances and funding a proposed Choral Pilgrimage from South Oxfordshire District Council remains on offer.
The Davey Consort also seeks to build links into the wider county - for example by partnering with Oxford County Council Library Service or by partnering with schools and other educational resources. It is also considering a pilot to bring music into Huntercombe Prison which has a high number of Catholics.
The future -
We had entered 2021, with a program of music, events and fundraising. Like many charities associated with the performing arts it quickly found itself challenged by the difficulties associated with the second and third phases of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The CIO sustained momentum secure sufficient funds to pay for the Aubertin organ. We have installed the Aubertin organ despite difficulties over travel between UK and France. We have raised funds to cover VAT liabilities which arose on import of the instrument.
In raising funds in troubled times, the CIO has demonstrated a capacity to engage effectively with donors and to share its vision.
If the future rests on building a successful friends and supporters base to cover running costs of the choir; establishing scholarships and developing a wider educational and performance remit, these now require trustees to raise funds for proper rehearsal space and equally space for the archive which must include that of Mary Berry.
With these and a sufficient endowment to cover scholarships and modest but essential administration needs, the Davey
Consort will be set fair to meet all of its charitable objects on an ongoing basis.
Trustees believe new all new undertakings from Choral Pilgrimages or Festivals to scholarships and archives and rehearsal space, must have costs underwritten by grants or donations. These can proceed only once fully funded.
The charitable objectives still require much from Trustees. However, we have secured notable success in the most troubled of circumstances. That success makes it possible to be pragmatically optimistic for the CIO’s long-term future.
John Murphy Chair The Davey Consort CIO
Davey Consort CIO Receipts & Payments Accounts
For the year ended 31[st] December 2021
Receipts & Payments
| Receipts Year to 31.12. 21 £ Year to 31.12.20 £ Fundraising 115,5 00 133,913 Concerts & festival - - Gift Aid 3,003 - Choir (Friends) 5,503 1,475 Equipment - 1,750 |
Payments Year to 31.12. 21 £ Year to 31.12. 20 £ |
|---|---|
| Choir 11,06 0 7,447 Concerts/pilgrimage - - Administration & printing 4,488 723 Legal & Professional fees 435 422 Maintenance of equipment/instruments 2,856 1,650 Asset and investment purchases* Organ prepayment 100,5 45 133,1 05 |
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Total Receipts 124,0 137,13 Total Payments 119,3 144,3 06 8 83 46 Cash Funds at 9,521 4,898 period end
*includes £3,770 costs of installation
2: Statement of Assets & Liabilities
| Assets £ Organ Prepayment (note 1) 283,649 Transcribed Music (note 2) 1,000 Harpsichord 500 Streaming Equipment 1,650 Cash funds 9,521 Total Assets 296,32 0 |
Liabilities £ |
|---|---|
| Organ outstanding balance (note 1) 23,818 |
|
| Total Liabilities 23,81 8 |
Signed on behalf of the
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Trustees:
Date of approval:
Print name:
Date of a roval: pp
Print name:
Note 1
The acquisition of a pipe organ of the highest quality forms part of the Charitable Objects of the Davey Consort CIO and was completed in the year to December 2021. The organ, commissioned from designs of world-renowned Master Organ Builder Dr Bernard Aubertin, was built in France under his personal direction. Its construction cost was Euro 376,500 or GBP £342,273. The exchange rate used in the accounts is GBP 1.00 : EUR 1.10.
Payments have been made to date by the Davey Consort CIO of £283,649 to date which include VAT on import of £64,389. A grant to cover the VAT paid was sought and awarded through the Listed Place of Worship Scheme (“LPOWS”) and£61,000 received in 2022. A single donation of £100K was made prior to the establishment of the Consort.
There was an outstanding balance of Eur 24,640 or £23,818 as at 31 December 2020, adequately covered by the LPOWS grant and cash balance.
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During 2021 several private donations in excess of £115,000 were received, and a further series of stage payments from the Consort for £36,155 were made to Aubertin. Additional expenses on import and installation of approx. £4,000 were incurred in the year.
It should be noted that the Contract for the construction of the organ was signed by two Trustees prior to the formation of the CIO, namely Fr John Osmond and Ryan Wigglesworth, in their personal capacity.
The Consort will acquire title to the organ by Novation and the organ will then show in the Davey Accounts as an asset initially valued at its replacement cost.
Note 2
The value ascribed is a Trustee valuation.
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Davey Consort CIO
Independent Examination Review – y/e 31 December 2021 October 2022
Direction 1: Check whether the charity is eligible to have an independent examination
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Receipts in accounts show gross income is £124,006 for the period, which is less than the threshold of £250,000 which requires an audit rather than an independent -
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examination (source: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/independent examination-of-charity-accounts-trustees-cc31/independent-examination-of-charityaccounts-trustees)
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The charity is a registered CIO (number 1180917), confirmed by looking up the Charity Commission register
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The charity is not a company, and has no subsidiaries
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The charity’s constitution doesn’t require an audit (or accruals accounting)
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There is no other known reason that an audit is required
Conclusion : the Davey Consort CIO is eligible to have an independent examination and is also eligible to prepare receipts and payments accounts.
Direction 2: Check for any conflict of interest that prevents the examiner from carrying out their independent examination
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There are no close personal relationships with the trustees that compromise independence
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The Examiner has no day to day involvement in the administration of the charity
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There are no cirucmstances in the examiner’s judgment that would reasonably lead to the perception that the examiner is not independent
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The Examiner holds an ACA qualification and is a member of the ICAEW, so has the necessary skills to carry out the examination
Conclusion : there is no conflict of interest preventing the examiner from carrying out their independent examination
Direction 3: Record your independent examination
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Examiner appointment confirmed by email by Trustees on 9[th] October 2020, minuted at 23[rd] October Trustee meeting (copy kept on electronic file by Examiner)
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- Note above on lack of audit requirement and Examiner qualifications under Directions 1 & 2
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See Direction 11 for analytical review
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Areas of clarification have been resolved via email with Chair John Murphy
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See Direction 6 for verification and vouching carried out
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Annual report kept on electronic file
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Information relied upon includes bank statements, accounting records, minutes and original receipts & invoices, all either via email or saved on electronic file by Examiner
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- See Direction 13 for conclusions
Direction 4: Plan your independent examination
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A similar approach to last year has been taken
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The charity doesn’t have a Treasurer or anyone with a specifically financial background maintaining its accounting records, so the independent examination has involved a recalculation of the accounting summary and preparation of the Receipts & Payments accounts from the bank statements, with significant transactions verified to third party records, and smaller amounts reviewed for reasonableness and against the activities described in the CIO’s annual report and correspondence.
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Post year end bank statements have also been reviewed to ensure commitments at the year end can be met.
Direction 5: Check that accounting records are kept to the required standard
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All receipts and payments are recorded in spreadsheets that correspond to bank statements and invoices
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The accounting records are readily available and were provided for the review immediately on request
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The accounts provide enough information to understand the activities of the charity and its financial position, and its finances can be understood at any point during and at the end of the financial period
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- Accounts information is transparent, and the Trustees readily accepted some amendments by the Examiner
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There is supporting documentation for every transaction in the bank accounts and therefore the accounting records, which feed the accounts. A sample were verified as part of the review and were found to all agree.
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There isn’t currently a fixed asset register
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Fundraising activity comprises personal donations in the period
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Note: Francis Bevan was appointed Treasurer of the Consort during the year, and brings experience of carrying out this role at other similar charitable organisations
Conclusion : accounts and accounting records are kept to the required standard for a charity of this size.
Direction 6: Check that the accounts are consistent with the accounting records - Accounts checked to accounting records and to bank statements,
Conclusion : accounts are consistent with the accounting records.
Direction 7: If the accounts are prepared on an accruals basis and one or more related party transactions took place the examiner must check if these were properly disclosed in the notes to the accounts
Accounts are prepared on a receipts and payments basis. A related party transaction has been disclosed in the Annual report and in the notes to the accounts, regarding the fact that two Trustees originally signed the organ contract which the charity will be taking over in late 2020/early 2021. Title will be acquired by the charity by novating the contract, and all remaining outstanding payments will be made by the charity from its fundraising activities. The two trustees have declared their interest at Trustee meetings and it has been agreed and minuted that they will not participate in any matters relating to the contract at Trustee meetings so that all decisions and discussions regarding the organ are free of any conflict of interest.
Conclusion : yes there is a significant related party transaction, but it is noted clearly in the accounts and handled appropriately in the management of the charity.
Direction 8: Check the reasonableness of the significant estimates and judgments and accounting policies used in accounting for the types of fund held and in the preparation of the accounts
The accounts are prepared on a receipts and payments basis. The value of the organ – the consort’s most significant asset – is based on the payments made to Aubertin by the Consort to date. There is also an outstanding liability on the organ in Euros, but the fluctuation of exchange rates and amount involved is not considered significant.
Conclusion : estimates are reasonable.
Direction 9: The examiner must check whether the trustees have considered the financial circumstances of the charity at the end of the reporting period and, if the accounts are prepared on an accruals basis, check whether the trustees have made an assessment of the charity’s position as a going concern when approving the accounts
The Trustees have considered the financial circumstances of the charity and I have reviewed post year-end bank statements which confirm the receipt of the LPOWS grant which covers all outstanding liabilities.
Conclusion: the Trustees have considered the charity’s position as a going concern and have executed plans so that the organ commitments can be met.
Direction 10: Check the form and content of the accounts
The form of the accounts has been checked and complies with the suggested template for receipts & payments accounts on the Charity Commission’s website.
Conclusion : the form and content of the accounts meets the requirements for a CIO of this size.
Direction 11: Identify items from the analytical review of the accounts that need to be followed up for further explanation or evidence
Receipt of LPOWS grant confirmed by reviewing relevant bank statement.
Conclusion : item followed up and concluded satisfactorily.
Direction 12: Compare the trustees’ annual report with the accounts
The trustees’ annual report gives an introduction to the charity and is consistent with the accounts.
Direction 13: Write and sign the independent examination report This document forms the independent examination report.
Overall conclusion & recommendations : the charity is maintaining adequate accounting records and has provided sufficient evidence to establish the accounts’ accuracy and completeness.
Signed:
Charlotte Walker (e-sign)
Print Name: Charlotte Walker
Date: 8[th] October 2022