Registered Charity Number 1181169
Brixton Chamber Orchestra
Report of the Trustees and
Unaudited Financial Statements
For The Year Ended 31 December 2024
Brixton Chamber Orchestra Report and accounts Contents
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Trustees' Report | 1 - 9 |
| Statement of Trustees' responsibilities | 10 |
| Accountants' report | 11 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 12 |
| Income and Expenditure account | 13 |
| Statement of total recognised gains and losses | 14 |
| Movements in Accumulated Funds | 14 |
| Balance sheet | 15 |
| Notes to the accounts | 16 - 20 |
Brixton Chamber Orchestra
The report of the trustees for the year ended 31 December 2024
Introduction
The trustees present their annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Name, registered office and constitution of the charity
The name of the charity is Brixton Chamber Orchestra (BCO).
The charity was successfully registered with the Charities Commission on the 14th of December 2018 under the registration number of 1181169.
The legal registration details are:
Date of formation 14/12/2018 The Principal Office is 157 Shakespear Road, Lambeth, SE24 0PY e Charity Registration Number 1181169 The telephone number is 07495074286
A summary of the objects of the charity as set out in its governing document
The charitable objectives of the Brixton Chamber Orchestra are to advance the art of music for the public benefit, and to promote, sustain, and increase individual and collective knowledge of music, by providing public concerts and such other
ways as the organisation, through its board of trustees, shall determine from time to time.
Public benefit that is provided by the charity
The Brixton Chamber Orchestra's work benefits the general public through sustaining, promoting & developing the art of live music in public and private performances.
The charity's trustees have referred to the guidance in the Charity Commission's general guidance on Public Benefit when reviewing the charity's aims and abjectives and in planning its future activities. In particular, they have considered how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives they have set.
The trustees have considered the charity's public benefit and concluded:
-
That the aims of the organisation continue to be charitable;
-
That the aims and the work done give identifiable benefits to the charitable sector and both indirectly and directly to individuals in need;
-
That the benefits are for the public, are not unreasonably restricted in any way and certainly not by ability to pay;
-
That there is no detriment or harm arising from the aims or activities
1
Brixton Chamber Orchestra
The report of the trustees for the year ended 31 December 2024
An explanation of the charity's main objectives & Activities for the year
In 2024 the BCO worked towards the following strategic aims: to reach new audiences with live orchestral performances; to provide a training and performance platform for local musicians & creatives; to innovate new orchestral experiences in fresh formats; and to embed in the local community as Brixton's own orchestra. In addition to these, we increased our educational offer to schools. In 2024, we performed at 11 community events, delivered ten charitable projects, and enjoyed dozens of commercial bookings which supported those projects – over 150 performances in all, to combined audiences of over 20,000 people. 40 of these performances were orchestral (20+ musicians), and six fielded full orchestras of 40+ players (including our excellent youth and amateur players).
Estates Tours
Now into its 7th year, our Estates Tours project was more popular than ever. We delivered two orchestral tours of Lambeth’s housing estates in July & December, completing 24 performances and visiting six new locations. As part of these tours we visited Jubilee Primary, Archbishop Sumners Primary, and Elms Academy to give performances which included pieces played alongside over 80 children – preceded by rehearsal workshops some weeks before. In 2024 we added a compere to present the show, helping the atmosphere to be even more welcoming and drive-up interaction and engagement. Summer tour performances were attended by 2008 people (44% growth from 2023) and Christmas tour performances were attended by 1409 (14% growth prom 2023). The programmes were the usual eclectic mix of styles, including exploration into new areas such as Dancehall and the French baroque. The Christmas Tour included a new commission called Sepandarmazgan (Love’s Day), an original piece of Persian music by Brixton-based composer Benham Khodarahmi. Another highlight was a Grime rap cypher over Mussorgsky’s Baba Yaga. This project continues to further all our strategic aims, particularly to reach new audiences with orchestral music. We thank Arts Council England, Jerwood Foundation, Lambeth Council (Social Values Fund), Joanna Lumley, Edward Lewis Foundation, Thistle Trust, and Brixton Brewery for funding this project.
Spring Concert
We launched our season with a symphonic orchestral concert in the Brixton Recreation Centre indoor 3G football pitch on 16th March. Unlike most orchestras, the BCO does not often perform full symphonies, so preparing Cherubini’s Symphony in D was a challenge we took up with relish. For concerts which demand a symphonic orchestra we call on talented local amateur players to join our young professionals. Falling on the St Patrick’s Day weekend, and in acknowledgment of the substantial influence Irish immigration has had on South London, we offered a second half of orchestrated Irish folk music, featuring local fiddler legend Dermot Crehan as soloist. Irish dancers joined us for Riverdance in a riotous encore. We thank Brixton BID, Brixton Brewery, Christopher King, & Squire & Partners for funding this project.
Brixton Opera Gala
The demand for opera in Brixton continued to grow in 2024, with over 400 attending a performance in Myatt’s Fields Park and about 200 attending in Lambeth Town Hall courtyard across the August bank holiday weekend. We again partnered with Pegasus Opera and Equip Event Services. Our 45-piece orchestra performed a varied operatic programme with five singers. Highlights included a series of excerpts from Gounod’s Faust, Britten’s Midsummer Night’s Dream, and of course Offenbach’s Can Can which, having also featured in the Summer Tour set, became the unrivalled track of the Summer. We thank Hagemann Rosenthal Associates for so generously supporting this project.
2
Brixton Chamber Orchestra
The report of the trustees for the year ended 31 December 2024
Brockwell Music Trail
The Music Trail is one of our most innovative formats. It entails scattering chamber groups across a defined area like a park, campus or high street, and inviting the public to seek them out, gather clues, and discover the secret location of a finale concert played by an orchestra formed of all the groups having come together. In Brockwell Park in May we delivered the largest version of this concept yet, with 10 groups spread over the whole park. Well over 600 people engaged with the event over the afternoon, and 420 attended the finale concert, which presented a ‘magic garden’ themed programme (excerpts from Swan Lake, Firebird, Midsummer Night’s Dream (Britten & Mendelssohn), and Peer Gynt, the Dance of the Dryads and the Hansel & Gretel Overture). We thank The Foyle Foundation, The Marchus Trust, and Brockwell Live for giving grants to fund this project.
Schools’ Side-by-side
One of our goals for 2024 was to increase our offer to schools. We were pleased to create a side-by-side project with two clusters of schools in Lambeth, in which 30 pupils around grade 3 level performed a programme alongside 20 BCO players. The music chosen was a challenge for the children, but after four focussed all-day rehearsals, supported with school-class and personal practice, their confidence and competence had clearly improved. The side-by-side format allows children to contribute to an overall sound which is well beyond their individual ability to create. When so few schools can assemble a functional orchestra, projects like this which bring pupils together from multiple schools are vital, as is offering the pupils a chance to make music which sounds genuinely impressive. This project is something we want to repeat annually, in order to keep more young people playing orchestral instruments throughout their teenage years. We thank the RKS Foundation for funding this project.
Lambeth Country Show: 50 Years of Music
Performing at popular local fixtures is a great chance to reach more local people, offer a huge platform to our talented local musicians, and key to embedding into local cultural life. We were delighted to be commissioned to create a special set for the festival’s 50’s birthday in 2024, which we called 50 years of Music. The set featured a song from every year from 1974 to 2024 – played in full, briefly quoted, and everything in between – over 90 minutes. This was, without a doubt, our largest live audience ever, estimated to be about 10,000 people. Our set presented a 33-piece orchestra and featured 10 impressive vocalists and 15 young dancers from Neon Performing Arts. Most of the songs were new to BCO, so we had to do a lot of arranging and orchestrating. To ensure good value for money, we reused many of these songs in the 2024 and 2025 estates tours.
Film Orchestrated: Halloween
We are lucky in Brixton to have an excellent cinema – the Ritzy – with an impressive theatrical screen. Thanks to Picture House for partnering with us again to deliver another Film Orchestrated, which again themed on Halloween in 2024, which marked 100 years since the release of the original Nosferatu film, and the release of the much-anticipated modern remake. We found a transcription of the original Hans Erdman score, which employs excellent use of classical pastiche and effective tension-building throughout. Our 15-piece ensemble performed Nosferatu, Disney’s Skeleton Dance, and a newly commissioned short horror film by local film-makers Noah Kean & Alfred Wales, for which we improvised and workshopped a soundtrack. We were delighted to sell out the 350-seat Ritzy cinema, with excitement in the air as a long queue lining the whole block beforehand! Earlier that day we offered a child-friendly version of the show to primary-school children at Lambeth Schools, which also included a catchy ‘trick or treating’ sing-along number. We thank It’s Music for their financial contribution to this project and providing the sing-along material for children. We also thank Brixton Brewery for their sponsorship.
3
Brixton Chamber Orchestra
The report of the trustees for the year ended 31 December 2024
Brazil meets Brixton
The BCO was approached by Brazilian cultural promoter Marta Viera, a Lambeth local, to perform at an international Portuguese language and culture festival at the Brazilian Embassy in November. Many South Americans, and Brazilians in particular, have moved to Lambeth in the last few years, so this was a good opportunity for us to reach out to another local community. Marta organised for three popular artists from Bahia to come over to the UK and connected us with another three already resident in London. As well as the performance at the Brazilian Embassy, we also had a Culture Night here in Brixton, with Brazilian music, food and dancing. We created an hour-long set of various Brazilian styles of music, with 15 BCO instrumentalists performing with six Brazilian musicians. Approximately 200 attended, along with the cultural attaché of the Brazilian embassy. We plan to use these arrangements and the performance practises we have learned across community performances in the coming years.
Effra Tavern Residency
One of the orchestra’s favourite pubs in Brixon is the Effra Tavern, well-known for its live music. We delivered a residency of monthly chamber recitals in 2024 on Sunday evenings, fielding various chamber groups including our Street Band, String quartet and trio, wind quintet, brass quintet, jazz quintet, folk ensemble, and percussion ensemble. Our highly informal sets were interactive and accessible, and attended by the regular patrons of the pub – most of whom had never been to a chamber recital before.
Community Fairs
As a community-rooted organisation, it is important that we are available to that community to provide live music at their events, as well as producing our own. Professional live music is unaffordable for community event budgets, so in 2023 we created the Local & Live fund with our lead sponsor, Brixton Brewery, which subsidises the cost of our groups to perform at community events in Lambeth & Southwark by 50%. In 2024, we spent £5k subsidising 11 community events playing to approximately 1500 people.
BCO Extend
The orchestra and bands were hired for over 96 performances across the UK, with the resulting surplus forming a vital part of our core funding. In 2024 this included two residencies at London’s Blues Kitchen venues, another London Marathon start line performance, nine Musical Bingo events, sets at The Oval cricket ground, and Grime and Disco Orchestrated bookings. Extend activity generated £23,987 surplus.
4
Brixton Chamber Orchestra
The report of the trustees for the year ended 31 December 2024
A Summary of Achievements & Performance
The following achievements are organised in relation to our strategic aims.
Reach New Audiences
The Estates Tours project delivered well against this strategic aim in 2024, during which 3,400 people attended show. 20% of the audiences had not attended a live orchestral performance before. 50% didn’t attend classical concerts. 93% of respondents said that coming to an estate show has made them more likely to listen to orchestral music in future.
Our 50 Years of Music show at Lambeth Country Show presented orchestra versions of 50 favourite songs to such a large audience that we achieved a huge impact locally.
In both the Brazil project and Spring Concert, we used music from a particular part of the world to reach a particular audience. There was a large Irish contingent at the Spring Concert who had come for the folk but equally enjoyed the symphony. Our Brazil project, whilst limited in size and impact, demonstrated our commitment to reaching and serving diverse local audiences, and piloted a method of bringing new types of music into our sets. We aim to develop ties with other groups in 2025/26, particularly Colombians and Cubans who have also arrived in Lambeth in large numbers.
The Effra Residency chamber recitals garnered small audiences of 25-50 people, but their reach was still high. It was clear that the vast majority were totally unfamiliar with the types of music we were performing, and they interacted with it exactly as they might a regular Effra jazz jam.
The Music Trail in Brockwell Park attracted many people who were primarily interested in the gamified format more than the orchestral music, but 500 still stood silently to listen to a 45-minute orchestral concert at the end.
Provide a Platform
With our new side-by-side project we were able to offer a platform for talented instrumentalists from local schools to play challenging orchestral music alongside young professionals. Most schools in Lambeth do not have enough instrumentalists to form a full orchestra, so by bringing children together from multiple schools we can introduce them to music and a type of performance which many do not have access to.
Our three youth players were offered a valuable training and performance platform across our entire programme, and two of them started undergraduate courses at London conservatoires. At six concerts we provided a platform for 15 excellent local amateur players to perform at a high standard.
Sometimes providing a platform is about making a space for well-established artists to perform in different settings. For example, Dermot Crehan is an internationally renowned Irish folk violinist and has lived in Brixton for 20 years. But it wasn’t until we invited him to join us as a soloist in our Spring Concert that he had the opportunity to share his talents with the local community.
We also provided platforms for other types of performers and creatives. Emerging professional singers and rappers were given paid work and good exposure in our tours, at the Lambeth Country Show, and across Extend bookings (Grime & Disco Orchestrated, Blues Kitchen residencies, and more). The Brixton Opera Gala showcased five excellent global majority opera singers from Pegasus Opera to highly diverse audiences. We provided a platform for local filmmakers to share their talents in our Film Orchestrated project. Noah and Alfred are both staff at the Ritzy, so this was especially meaningful to them to see their film, performers with full orchestra, on the same screens that they load international blockbusters onto every day.
5
Brixton Chamber Orchestra
The report of the trustees for the year ended 31 December 2024
But most of all, it is the platform we can provide to community members in our open mic sets at the end of Estates Tour shows which are most memorable for inspiring creativity and expressivity. The quality of these scratch performances from members of the audience continue to astound our audiences and the orchestra itself. Offered an informal and friendly setting, with the added draw of orchestral accompaniment, many residents (who may usually only sing at home) come out of their shells and are delighted to share their talent with their own community.
Innovate New Orchestral Experiences
The BCO continue to deliver orchestral music in innovative formats in 2024, most notably in the Brockwell Music Trail, which was well attended and piqued interest among families and young adults. We aim to hone and repeat this project in 2026. Our 50-years-of-music set placed an orchestra in a pop music space, bringing orchestral colours and impact to very familiar songs. While many orchestras play live soundtracks, our Film Orchestrated project brings this practise to Brixton for the first time (since the 1930’s, at least!), and our newly commissioned films and scores mean the events offer novel experiences every time. Lastly, Brazil Meets Brixton piloted our idea of cultural nights themed on places in the world with large diasporas in Lambeth – something we would like to develop in the spirit of welcoming newcomers and community-integration.
Two of our most successful innovative projects over the last few years have been Grime & Disco Orchestrated. In 2024, these moved into our commercial strand – BCO Extend – and now are hired out, delivering surpluses back to cover the charity’s core costs. This transition demonstrates how the BCO can turn musical innovation into commercial opportunities.
Embed in the Community
The BCO is well embedded in Brixton and Lambeth. In 2024 we started to see our events much better attended, with some becoming fully booked just days after release. A significant proportion of the Brixton public now know who we are and show interest in our work.
Being commissioned by Lambeth Country Show for their 50th birthday showed the council has confidence in our creativity and ability to deliver a high-quality large-scale show. Side by Side brought us into much closer contact with schools in the area. We developed our partnerships with Pegasus Opera, Brixton Recreation Centre, Ritzy Picturehouse, Lambeth Music Service, Lambeth Events, Neon Performing Arts, and The Effra Tavern. We struck up new relationships with two local dance schools and visited four new estates on our tours.
That the BCO is properly embedded in the community is not just to our benefit. 90% of estates tour respondents said the experience had made them more likely to attend more community events in general. Sharing thrilling live music with one’s community is a bonding experience, promoting trust and understanding. In the medium-term, the BCO is keen to collect more data and produce some formal evaluation of the impact of our Estates Tours on communities since its inception in 2018.
Brixton Chamber Orchestra
The report of the trustees for the year ended 31 December 2024
Structure, Governance and Management
The Board of Trustees sets the broad strategy for how the BCO will achieve its charitable objects. The Board determines financial and organisational priorities, which include scrutinising and approving all performance projects and spending plans. Trustees regularly offer their time and expertise to build and develop the organisation, including making recommendations as to the artistic direction of the BCO, and effecting the vital introductions which make these ideas possible.
The BCO continues to engage Matthew O'Keeffe as its director, who is responsible for the artistic and logistical leadership of the organisation. The director works with several contracted and freelance staff to deliver the strategy as set by the Board of Trustees. Staff remuneration is set as part of the annual budget. Trustees have looked at the rate of pay for similar posts with other new charities and consider this good value for money. The director is also the Data Protection Officer.
The Board is also responsible for identifying the risks faced by the charity. Risks are identified and assessed with controls established throughout the year. A formal review of the charity's risk management processes are undertaken on an annual basis. Risk is considered with respect to artistic reputation, financial sustainability and project delivery.
In more detail:
Artistic reputation
The BCO's success is built in part on the substance and quality of its performances. We take qualitative and quantitative feedback from audiences whenever possible, analysing the results and responding in future planning. We also regularly review which musicians we engage, and how much rehearsal time we should book with them.
Financial sustainability
Annual budgets are developed and presented to the Board for approval. An analysis of recent and upcoming spending is reported to the Board at each quarterly trustee meeting. As a charity which is very strongly reliant on achieving grants to support its work, we pay particularly close attention to our performance in applications for funding judged against the budget and plan contingency measures to deal with any shortfall.
Project delivery
Projects are planned to a timeline and checklist to ensure nothing is overlooked. Up-todate information is stored on a shared drive to ensure all staff are working from the same details. Risks to the orchestra's instrumentalists and the public at events are managed through specific risk assessments carried out by project managers under the guidance of the director, with Board oversight).
7
Brixton Chamber Orchestra
The report of the trustees for the year ended 31 December 2024
Nature of the Governing Document and constitution of the charity
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).
The methods adopted for the recruitment and appointment of new trustees
The trustees are nominated & appointed by the Board of Trustees. Information about trustee responsibilities are made available to all trustees in a shared drive. New guidance and information from the Commission is regularly circulated.
Financial Review
Transactions and Financial position
Income for the year amounted to £470,221 (2023 £290,084), including performance fees £221,925 (2023 £120,556), grants £133,992 (2023 £95,405), sponsorship £19,200 (2023 £30,900), merchandise sales £2,872 (2023 £1,910), ticket sales £4,404 (2023 £3,444), donations £52,651 (2023 £31,031) and tax relief £35,177 (2023 £6,837).
Expenditure on Charitable Activities amounted to £282,084 (2023 £267,281), and Expenditure on the raising of funds was £175,119 (2023 £24,306). Net Profit of £13,078 (2023 net loss was £1,503), with a total of £44,096 (2023 £31,078) carried forward into 2025.
All project proposals are judged against our strategic aims before being signed off by trustees, to ensure that resources are directed appropriately. The Trustees have considered the financial position of the charity, reviewed plans for the year 2025 and have concluded that Brixton Chamber Orchestra can continue to trade viably for the next twelve months from the date of signature of these accounts.
Fundraising
As a charity, BCO is reliant on fundraising to enable us to achieve our charitable outcomes. Trustees review the delivery of our fundraising targets against budget at each quarterly Board meeting. Trustees pay close attention to ensure that the costs of our fundraising are accurately explained and managed. Trustees would like to express their thanks to all our funders in 2024.
Trusts & Foundations: Arts Council England, The Jerwood Foundation, Lambeth Council Social Values Fund, The Edward Lewis Foundation, The Thistle Trust, The Foyle Foundation, The Marchus Trust, The RKS Foundation.
Sponsors: Brixton Brewery, Hagemann Rosenthal Associates, It’s Music, Brixton BID, Brockwell Live, Squire & Partners
Donors: Joanna Lumley, Tom Holland, Christopher & Charlotte King, several anonymous donors, and all our BCO Supporters!
8
Brixton Chamber Orchestra
The report of the trustees for the year ended 31 December 2024
Plans for Future Periods
The BCO will maintain the strategic aims outlined above and add a fifth aim of Extend – Extend our brand and musical offering via a broad range of commercial settings deploying versatile and creative ensembles, providing a range of new creative opportunities for our professional musicians and generating additional income to support delivery of our charitable objectives. We plan to create a trading subsidiary company to house this commercial activity.
We aim to deliver two estates tours, our opera gala, a Spring concert, Music Trail, and Side-by-Side. In the management team, we aim to hire an orchestral manager and a learning co-ordinator to execute more ambitious projects, with larger reach and impact.
The members of the Board of Trustees of the Charity during the year ended 31st December 2024 were:
H Little Dr Y Fitzpatrick G Glennon H Warner M Schumann
The trustees are all members of the charity.
The members of the Board of Trustees of the Charity at the date the report and accounts were approved were:
H Little G Glennon H Warner M Schumann
Independent Examiner
William Mantz Chartered Accountant ICAEW 90 Brixton Hill Brixton London SW2 1QN
9
Brixton Chamber Orchestra
The report of the trustees for the year ended 31 December 2024
Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities
The Charities Act requires the Board of Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity as at the end of the financial year and of the surplus or deficit of the charity. In preparing those financial statements the Board is required to:
-
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
-
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and
-
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
-
state whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
The Trustees are also responsible for maintaining adequate accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and which are sufficient to show and explain the charity's transactions and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with regulations made under the Charities Act. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The trustees are also responsible for the contents of the trustees' report, and the responsibility of the independent examiner in relation to the trustees' report is limited to examining the report and ensuring that, on the face of the report, there are no inconsistencies with the figures disclosed in the financial statements.
This report was approved by the board of trustees on 27 October 2025.
Hester Warner Trustee
10
Brixton Chamber Orchestra Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of the charity
Report of the Independent Examiner to the trustees
on the accounts of the Charity for the year ende 31 December 2024
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Brixton Chamber Orchestra (the Trust) for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Respective 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, report and opinion
Subject to the limitations upon the scope of my work as detailed above, in connection with my examination, I can confirm that this is a report in respect of an examination carried out under section 145 of the Act and in accordance with any directions given by the Commission under subsection (5)(b) of that section which are applicable, no matter has come to my attention in connection with my examination which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements
(i) to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Act;
(ii) to prepare financial statements which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Act and;
(iii) that the financial statements be prepared in accordance with the methods and principles set out in the Statement of Recommended Practice - Accounting and Reporting by Charities have not been met;
William Mantz Chartered Accountant ICAEW 90 Brixton Hill Brixton London SW2 1QN
The date upon which my opinion is expressed is: 27 October 2025
11
Brixton Chamber Orchestra Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 December 2024
| **Unrestricted ** | Restricted | Total | Last Year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | Funds | Total Funds | |
| Notes | 2024 | 2024 | 2024 | 2023 |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Incoming resources | ||||
| Incoming resources from generated funds | ||||
| Voluntary Income | 52,651 | - | 52,651 | 31,031 |
| Activities for generating funds | 257,635 | - | 257,635 | 28,587 |
| Incoming resources from charitable activities | 34,021 | 125,914 | 159,935 | 230,466 |
| Total incoming resources | 344,307 | 125,914 | 470,221 | 290,084 |
| Costs of generating funds | ||||
| Fundraising trading - costs of raising charitable funds | 64,103 | 125,914 | 190,017 | 24,306 |
| Costs of charitable activities | 267,186 | - | 267,186 | 267,281 |
| Total resources expended | 331,289 | 125,914 | 457,203 | 291,587 |
| Net incoming resources/(net outgoing resources) | ||||
| before transfers between funds | 13,018 | - | 13,018 | (1,503) |
| Gross transfers between funds | - | - | - | - |
| Net incoming resources/(net outgoing resources) | before | |||
| Other recognised gains and losses | 13,018 | - | 13,018 | (1,503) |
| Other recognised gains and losses | - | - | - | - |
| Net movement in funds | 13,018 | - | 13,018 | (1,503) |
| Reconciliation of funds | ||||
| Total funds brought forward | 31,078 | - | 31,078 | 32,581 |
| Total Funds carried forward | 44,096 | - | 44,096 | 31,078 |
The net movement in funds referred to above is the net incoming resources as defined in the SORP and is reconciled to the total funds as shown in the Balance Sheet on page 11 as required by the SORP.
All activities derive from continuing operations
The notes on pages 16 to 20 form an integral part of these accounts.
12
Brixton Chamber Orchestra Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 December 2024
Income and Expenditure Account for the year ended 31 December 2024
| Notes Turnover 2 Direct costs of turnover Gross surplus/(deficit) Surplus/(deficit) on ordinary activities before tax Surplus/(deficit) for the financial year Gift Aid Payments Retained surplus/(deficit) for the financial year |
2024 £ 470,221 457,203 13,018 13,018 13,018 - 13,018 |
2023 £ 290,084 291,587 |
|---|---|---|
| (1,503) | ||
| (1,503) | ||
| (1,503) - |
||
| (1,503) |
All activities derive from continuing operations
The notes on pages 16 to 20 form an integral part of these accounts.
13
Brixton Chamber Orchestra Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 December 2024
Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses for the year ended 31 December 2024
| for the year ended 31 December 2024 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||
| Excess of Expenditure over income before realisation of assets | 13,018 | (1,503) | |||
| Loss per Profit and Loss account | 13,018 | (1,503) | |||
| Grants for the acquisition of fixed assets | - | - | |||
| Net Movement in funds before taxation | 13,018 | (1,503) | |||
| Movements in revenue and capital funds | |||||
| for the year ended 31 December 2024 | |||||
| Revenue accumulated funds | **Unrestricted ** | Restricted | Total | Last year | |
| Funds | Funds | Funds | Total Funds | ||
| 2024 | 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Accumulated funds brought forward | 31,078 | - | 31,078 | 32,581 | |
| Recognised gains and losses before transfers | 13,018 | - | 13,018 | (1,503) | |
| 44,096 | - | 44,096 | 31,078 | ||
| Closing revenue accumulated funds | 44,096 | - | 44,096 | 31,078 | |
| Summary of funds | **Unrestricted ** | Restricted | Total | Last Year | |
| Funds | Funds | Funds | Total Funds | ||
| 2024 | 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | ||
| Revenue accumulated funds | 44,096 | - | 44,096 | 31,078 |
The statement of changes in resources applied for fixed assets for Charity use is shown in the notes to the accounts.
The notes on pages 16 to 20 form an integral part of these accounts.
14
Brixton Chamber Orchestra Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2024
| Notes 2024 £ The assets and liabilities of the charity : Fixed assets Intangible assets 5 11,957 Tangible assets 6 1,392 Total fixed assets 13,349 Current assets Stocks & Work in progress 310 Debtors 7 88,368 Cash at bank and in hand 34,599 Total current assets 123,277 Creditors: amounts due within one year 8 (92,530) Net current assets 30,747 Total assets less current liabilities 44,096 Creditors: amounts due after more than one year - - Net assets including pension asset / liability 44,096 The funds of the charity : Unrestricted income funds Unrestricted revenue accumulated funds 44,096 Total unrestricted funds 44,096 Restricted income funds Total restricted funds - Total charity funds 44,096 |
1,126 63,671 4,236 |
2023 £ 5,954 2,259 |
|---|---|---|
| 69,033 | ||
| 31,078 | ||
| 31,078 - - |
||
| 31,078 | ||
| 31,078 - |
||
| 31,078 |
Hester Warner Trustee Approved by the board of trustees on 27 October 2025
The notes on pages 16 to 20 form an integral part of these accounts.
15
Brixton Chamber Orchestra Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024
1 Accounting policies
Basis of preparation of the accounts
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 particular accounting policies adopted are set out below.
Accounting convention
The financial statements are prepared, on a going concern basis, under the historical cost convention as modified by the revaluation of freehold land and buildings and fixed asset investments.
Incoming Resources
Incoming resources are accounted for on a receivable basis.
Recognition of liabilities
Liabilities are recognised on the accruals basis in accordance with normal accounting principles, modified where necessary in accordance with the guidance given in the SORP.
Stocks and work in progress
Stocks are measured at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell. Cost is determined using the first in first out method. The carrying amount of stock sold is recognised as an expense in the period in which the related revenue is recognised.
Intangible fixed assets
Intangible fixed assets are measured at cost less accumulative amortisation and any accumulative impairment losses.
16
Brixton Chamber Orchestra Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024
Fixed assets and depreciation
All tangible fixed assets, except freehold land and buildings, are stated at cost less depreciation. Freehold land and buildings are stated at a valuation arrived at by a professionally qualified firm of valuers, who valued the assets on the basis of open market value in current use.
Depreciation has been provided at the following rates in order to write off the assets (less their estimated residual value) over their estimated useful economic lives.
Fixtures & Equipment 25% straight line
Taxation
As a registered charity, the organisation is exempt from income and corporation tax to the extent that its income and gains are applicable to charitable purposes only. Value Added Tax is not recoverable by the charity, and is therefore included in the relevant costs in the Statement of Financial Activities.
Funds structure policy
The charity maintains a general unrestricted fund which represents funds which are expendable at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the objects of the charity. Such funds may be held in order to finance both working capital and capital investment.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
2 Winding up or dissolution of the charity
If upon winding up or dissolution of the charity there remain any assets, after the satisfaction of all debts and liabilities, the assets represented by the accumulated fund shall be transferred to some other charitable body or bodies having similar objects to the charity.
| Revenue Turnover from ordinary activities and after charging: Depreciation of owned fixed assets Rentals under operating leases Amortisation of goodwill Independent Examiner's Fees |
470,221 867 3,070 4,648 1,650 459,986 |
290,084 867 2,254 1,985 1,435 |
|---|---|---|
| 283,543 |
17
Brixton Chamber Orchestra Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024
3 Deferred Incoming Resources & Reserves - Unrestricted funds
| Opening Deferrals £ Postcode Society - Q Charitable Trust - Total - These deferrals are included in creditors 4 Staff Costs and Emoluments Wages and salaries 5 Intangible fixed assets Music Produced: Cost At 1 January 2024 Additions At 31 December 2024 Amortisation At 1 January 2024 Provided during the year At 31 December 2024 Net book value At 31 December 2024 At 31 December 2023 |
Released from prior years £ - - - |
Received less released in year £ 20,800 22,360 43,160 2024 £ 43,160 2024 £ 45,545 £ 7,939 10,651 18,590 1,985 4,648 6,633 11,957 5,954 |
Deferred at year end £ 20,800 22,360 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 43,160 | |||
| 2023 £ - |
|||
| 2023 £ 29,314 |
18
Brixton Chamber Orchestra Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024
6 Tangible functional fixed assets
| Asset cost, valuation or revalued amount At 1 January 2024 At 31 December 2024 Accumulated depreciation At 1 January 2024 Surplus on revaluation Charge for the year At 31 December 2024 Net book value At 31 December 2024 At 31 December 2023 7 Debtors Trade debtors Prepayments Other Debtors Advance VAT 8 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Trade creditors Accrued expenses VAT Deferred income and grants in advance |
2024 £ 21,665 11,146 - 55,557 - 88,368 2024 £ 13,504 26,100 9,766 43,160 92,530 |
Fixtures and Fittings £ 3,439 |
|---|---|---|
| 3,439 | ||
| 1,180 - 867 |
||
| 2,047 | ||
| 1,392 | ||
| 2,259 | ||
| 2023 £ 11,104 14,850 59 35,953 1,705 |
||
| 63,671 | ||
| 2023 £ 21,194 24,974 - - |
||
| 46,168 |
19
Brixton Chamber Orchestra Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024
| 8 | Analysis of the Net Movement in Funds | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||
| Net movement in funds from Statement of Financial Activities | 13,018 | (1,503) |
The net resources applied on functional fixed assets and the net investment in programme related investments represents the cost of additions less proceeds of any disposals.
| 9 | Particulars of Individual Funds and analysis of | Particulars of Individual Funds and analysis of | Particulars of Individual Funds and analysis of | assets and liabilities representing funds | assets and liabilities representing funds | assets and liabilities representing funds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At 31 December 2024 | Unrestricted | Designated | Restricted | Total | ||
| funds | funds | funds | Funds | |||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |||
| Intangible Assets | 11,957 | - | - | 11,957 | ||
| Tangible Fixed Assets | 1,392 | - | - | 1,392 | ||
| Current Assets | 123,277 | - | - | 123,277 | ||
| Current Liabilities | (92,530) | - | - | (92,530) | ||
| 44,096 | - | - | 44,096 | |||
| At 1 January 2024 | Unrestricted | Designated | Restricted | Total | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |||
| Intangible Assets | 5,954 | - | - | 5,954 | ||
| Tangible Fixed Assets | 2,259 | - | - | 2,259 | ||
| Current Assets | 69,033 | - | - | 69,033 | ||
| Current Liabilities | (46,168) | - | - | (46,168) | ||
| 31,078 | - | - | 31,078 |
Analysis of movements in funds as shown in the table above
| Unrestricted funds Unrestricted funds Restricted funds |
Funds at 2023 £ 31,078 31,078 Incoming Resources £ 344,307 125,914 470,221 |
Movements in Funds as below £ 13,018 13,018 Outgoing Resources £ 331,289 125,914 457,203 |
Transfers Between funds £ - - Gains & Losses £ - - - |
Funds at 2024 £ 44,096 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 44,096 | ||||
| Movement in funds £ 13,018 - |
||||
| 13,018 |
20
Brixton Chamber Orchestra
Schedule to the Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 December 2024
| **Unrestricted ** | Restricted | Total | Prior Period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | Funds | Total Funds | |
| 2024 | 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Gifts in kind, donated services and facilities | ||||
| Donations | 52,651 | - | 52,651 | 31,031 |
| Total Gifts in kind, donated services and facilities | 52,651 | - | 52,651 | 31,031 |
| Activities for generating funds | ||||
| Performance fees | 212,975 | - | 212,975 | 13,400 |
| Tax relief | 35,177 | - | 35,177 | 6,837 |
| Project grants | 8,078 | - | 8,078 | 2,000 |
| Sponsorship income | - | - | - | 6,350 |
| Merchandise and Ticket sales | 1,405 | - | 1,405 | - |
| Total of activities for generating funds | 257,635 | - | 257,635 | 28,587 |
| Incoming resources from charitable activities | ||||
| Sponsorship income | 19,200 | - | 19,200 | 24,550 |
| Performance fees | 8,950 | - | 8,950 | 107,156 |
| Grants for provision of charitable goods and services | - | 125,914 | 125,914 | 93,405 |
| Merchandise and Ticket sales | 5,871 | - | 5,871 | 5,355 |
| Charitable activities | 34,021 | 125,914 | 159,935 | 230,466 |
| Total Incoming Resources | 344,307 | 125,914 | 470,221 | 290,084 |
| Fundraising Trading | ||||
| Fundraising Trading: Cost of raising charitable funds | ||||
| Merchendise costs | 2,573 | - | 2,573 | 790 |
| Musican's fees | 56,122 | 121,201 | 177,323 | 22,452 |
| Rehersal space | 184 | - | 184 | 190 |
| Management costs | 3,170 | - | 3,170 | 800 |
| Other delivery costs | 2,054 | - | 2,054 | 74 |
| Event fees | - | 665 | 665 | - |
| Equipment hire | - | 4,048 | 4,048 | - |
| 64,103 | 125,914 | 190,017 | 24,306 | |
| Total Fundraising Trading costs | 64,103 | 125,914 | 190,017 | 24,306 |
| Costs of activities in furtherance of the charity's objectives | ||||
| Wages | 14,211 | - | 14,211 | 12,437 |
| Musican's fees | 138,604 | - | 138,604 | 175,175 |
| Other delivery costs | 4,732 | - | 4,732 | 5,192 |
| Event fees | 7,146 | - | 7,146 | 5,860 |
| Equipment hire | 2,758 | - | 2,758 | 3,060 |
| Rehersal space | 2,908 | - | 2,908 | 2,092 |
| Music licences | 332 | - | 332 | 125 |
| Merchendise costs | 2,115 | - | 2,115 | 1,316 |
| Sundries | 2,313 | - | 2,313 | 4,118 |
| 175,119 | - | 175,119 | 209,375 |
21
Brixton Chamber Orchestra
Schedule to the Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 December 2024
| **Unrestricted ** | Restricted | Total | Prior Period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | Funds | Total Funds | |
| 2024 | 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Management and administration costs | ||||
| in support of charitable activities | ||||
| Staff costs in support of charitable activities | ||||
| Salaries - Director | 20,170 | - | 20,170 | 13,348 |
| Salaries - Administrative and marketing staff | 25,375 | - | 25,375 | 15,966 |
| Musician's fees | - | - | - | - |
| 45,545 | - | 45,545 | 29,314 | |
| Indirect employee costs | ||||
| Travel and subsistence | 602 | - | 602 | 185 |
| Entertaining | 400 | - | 400 | - |
| Recruitment expenses | - | - | - | 751 |
| Training and welfare | 65 | - | 65 | - |
| 1,067 | - | 1,067 | 936 | |
| Premises Costs | ||||
| Rent payable | 3,070 | - | 3,070 | 2,254 |
| Insurance | 157 | - | 157 | 157 |
| Premises repairs and renewals | 256 | - | 256 | - |
| 3,483 | - | 3,483 | 2,411 | |
| General administrative expenses: | ||||
| Postage | 33 | - | 33 | 17 |
| Stationery and printing | 272 | - | 272 | 849 |
| Subscriptions | 509 | - | 509 | 22 |
| Equipment expenses | 429 | - | 429 | - |
| Office Expenses | 57 | - | 57 | 25 |
| Advertising and PR | 22,630 | - | 22,630 | 14,275 |
| Bank charges | 484 | - | 484 | 218 |
| 24,414 | - | 24,414 | 15,406 | |
| Professional fees in support of charitable activities | ||||
| Accountancy fees other than examiners/auditors | 10,343 | - | 10,343 | 6,987 |
| Consultancy fees | 1,500 | - | 1,500 | - |
| Legal fees | 200 | - | 200 | - |
| 12,043 | - | 12,043 | 6,987 | |
| Other support costs | ||||
| Amortisation of intangible & historic assets | 4,648 | - | 4,648 | 1,985 |
| Depreciation fixtures and fittings | 867 | - | 867 | 867 |
| 5,515 | - | 5,515 | 2,852 | |
| Total Support costs | 92,067 | - | 92,067 | 57,906 |
| Total Expended on Charitable Activities | 267,186 | - | 267,186 | 267,281 |
| The basis for the allocation of costs as shown above is explained in the | accounting | policies and | the notes to the | |
| accounts. | ||||
| Net Outgoing Resources | 13,018 | - | 13,018 | (1,503) |
22