Charity no. 1183545
Annual Report and Accounts
1 November 2022 to 31 October 2023
Cumbria Opera Group Annual Accounts 2022-23 Charity number: 1183545
Trustees' Report and Annual Accounts 1st November 2022 to 31st October 2023
Contents Page Trustees' Annual Report 2-5 Independent Examiner's Report 6 Receipts and Payments Account 7-10
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Cumbria Opera Group Annual Accounts 2022-23 Charity number: 1183545
Trustees' Report and Annual Accounts 1 November 2022 to 31 October 2023
Reference and Administration Details
The Trustees present their report and the unaudited Accounts of the Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) for the period 1 November 2022 to 31 October 2023
CIO Name
Cumbria Opera Group
Charity Commission registration no.
1183545
Contact Address
7 Thorny Hills, Kendal, LA9 7AL
The Trustees
Joe Davies - Chair
Lucy Britton - Managing Director
Dr Roger William Allen Sula Ross Cotterell
Edward Peter Davies
Marcia Elaine Reid Fotheringham JP DL
Giles William Holden
Stuart Manger
Independent Examiner
Anthony Farren
7 Brow Crescent, Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 2EY
Bankers
Virgin Money, 7 Stricklandgate, Kendal LA9 4NB
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Cumbria Opera Group Annual Accounts 2022-23 Charity number: 1183545
Structure, Governance and Management
Governing document
Cumbria Opera Group is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, Registered No.1183545, regulated by the Charity Commission of England and Wales. The Governing Document is the constitution dated 22nd May 2019.
Recruitment and appointment of Trustees
Under the constitution, apart from the �rst CIO trustees, every trustee must be appointed for a term of three years by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the CIO trustees. In selecting individuals for appointment as CIO trustees, the CIO trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the e�ective administration of the CIO. Any person retiring as a CIO trustee is eligible for reappointment.
Induction and training of Trustees
Induction and training of a new trustee will be undertaken with the guidance of the existing trustees.
Risk Management
The directors have assessed the major risks to which the CIO is exposed, in particular those related to the operations and �nances of the CIO, and are satis�ed that adequate systems are in place to mitigate any exposure to the major risks.
Objectives and Activities for Public Bene�t
The objects of the CIO are:
To promote the advancement of the art of opera for the public bene�t through:
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The promotion and presentation of high-quality opera for the bene�t of the local communities in Cumbria.
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To educate young instrumentalists, singers, and actors based in or from Cumbria in the �eld of opera.
Achievement, Performance and Financial Review
Summary
The 2022-23 Season of the Cumbria Opera Group featured a touring ‘Three Tenors’ Concert in February, a staged production of Bach’s St John Passion in April, the Launch Night for the Cumbria Opera Festival in June, and the Cumbria Opera Festival 2023 in August and September. The Festival’s accompanying Education Project took place in schools from January to July 2023. The Festival ran as follows:
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Cumbria Opera Group Annual Accounts 2022-23 Charity number: 1183545
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Open Festival Workshop, 26th August, Penrith Playhouse
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Double Bill of Frauenliebe und -leben and La Voix Humaine , 26th & 27th August, Penrith Playhouse
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Opera Highlights (Touring), 27th-29th August: Dalton-in-Furness, Appleby, & Carlisle
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Don Giovanni , 30th, 31st August & 2nd September, Victoria Hall, Grange-over-Sands
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Masterclass with Joan Rodgers CBE, 1st September, St Bees Priory
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Cumbrian Opera & Song, 2nd September, Kendal Town Hall
The Festival has made a palpable di�erence to people in Cumbria, particularly to young Cumbrians interested in the arts. At the Masterclass with Joan Rodgers CBE, four young Cumbrians were able to learn with one of the best singers of her generation (with many more watching the event): participant Hannah Weakley (17) described this as ‘an incredible and inspiring experience’. Our Young Composers’ Competition winner, Robert Anson, received three free mentoring sessions with our Associate Composer, Jen Hartley, and had a work premiered by Georgia Mae Ellis and George Needham, an experience Robert described as ‘fantastic’, and ‘one I’ll be forever grateful for’.
The workshops we ran in schools across Cumbria were very positively received from the hosting schools, with praise including: 'Cumbria Opera Group's workshops at Appleby Primary School have been amazing! The children really enjoy getting involved and it's amazing to see those who are sometimes less con�dent come out of their shell when they are performing! We love having the Opera Group with us, the children are always engaged and enjoy the freedom of creating their own actions and joining in with the singing.' ( Holly Andrews, Teacher at Appleby Primary School )
Thanks
The Trustees would like to thank all the artists who participated in Cumbria Opera Group events over the last year. There are simply too many to name here, but all the many performers and creatives who made the Cumbria Opera Festival a success are to be commended.
We would particularly like to thank the many people in the extended Cumbria Opera Group 'Family': the members of our Friends' Circles, our supporters and event attendees, and the many people involved in the organisation of the Cumbria Opera Festival 2023.
Financial Result
The period ended 31st October 2023 was our fourth as a CIO and we ended it �nancially sound. Total funds are £6,900.21.
Acknowledgements
We are extremely grateful to all our funders for their ongoing �nancial support. We are also grateful for all other support given from all donors, 'Friends' and audiences, and from all those, both on and o�the committee, for all the assistance given.
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Cumbria Opera Group Annual Accounts 2022-23 Charity number: 1183545
Fundraising
Our fundraising has so far been concentrated on applying for grants from charitable trusts and other grant providers. We also have a ‘Friends’ scheme which has generated a number of personal donations, and contributed considerably towards the funds for the Festival.
Reserves Policy
Reserves are needed to bridge the gap between pending and receiving of resources and to cover unplanned emergency repairs and other expenditure. The trustees consider a su�cient level of reserves as of 1 November 2023 to be £6,500.
Trustees' Responsibilities
The Trustees who served the CIO during the period are as set out on page 1. Charity law requires the Trustees to prepare a Receipts and Payments Account showing the assets of the CIO at the end of the period and of the incoming and outgoing resources for the period then ended.
In preparing those Financial Statements, the Trustees are required to select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently, making judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent. The Trustees must also prepare the Financial Statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the CIO will continue its activities.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the �nancial position of the CIO and to enable them to ensure that the Accounts comply with charity law. The Trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the CIO and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Independent Examiner
Anthony Farren has expressed his willingness to continue as Independent Examiner.
Signed by order of the Trustees
Joe Davies (Chair of Trustees) Approved by the Trustees on 7th December 2023
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Cumbria Opera Group Annual Accounts 2022-23 Charity number: 1183545
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Members of Cumbria Opera Group
I report on the accounts of the CIO for the year ended 31 October 2023 set out on pages 7-10.
Respective Responsibilities of the Trustees and Examiner
As the charity trustees of the CIO, 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 CIO’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I con�rm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which give me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
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-the accounts do not accord with the accounting records.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
7th December 2023
Anthony Farren 7 Brow Crescent Windermere LA23 2EY
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Cumbria Opera Group 1183545 CC16a Receipts and payments accounts For the period 1/11/22 To 31/10/23 from
Section A Receipts and payments
| Unrestricted funds |
Unrestricted funds |
Restricted funds |
Restricted funds |
Endowment funds |
Endowment funds |
Total funds | Last year | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | |||||||||||||||||||
| A1 Receipts | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ticket Sales | - | 17,697- | - | -- | - | -- | - | 17,697- | - | 5,268- | |||||||||||||
| Donations: Friends' Scheme | - | 1,570- | - | -- | - | -- | - | 1,570- | - | 1,950- | |||||||||||||
| Grants: Local Authorities | - | 7,750- | - | -- | - | -- | - | 7,750- | - | 5,500- | |||||||||||||
| Donations: other | - | 959- | - | -- | - | -- | - | 959- | - | 4,802- | |||||||||||||
| Gift Aid | - | 369- | - | -- | - | -- | - | 369- | - | 401- | |||||||||||||
| Easy Fundraising | - | 17- | - | -- | - | -- | - | 17- | - | 48- | |||||||||||||
| Interest | - | 4- | - | -- | - | -- | - | 4- | - | 5- | |||||||||||||
| Grants: Trusts and Foundations | - | 25,500- | - | -- | - | -- | - | 25,500- | - | -- | |||||||||||||
| Theatre Tax Relief | - | 1,925- | - | -- | - | -- | - | 1,925- | - | 2,408- | |||||||||||||
| Other receipts | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | 1,000- | |||||||||||||||
| Sub total(Gross income for AR) | - | 55,791- | - | -- | - | -- | - | 55,791- | - | 21,382- |
| A2 | Asset and investment sales | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | ||||||||||||||
| - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | ||||||||||||
| Sub total | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | - | -- | |||||||||||
| **Total receipts ** | - | 55,791- | - | -- | - | -- | - | 55,791- | - | 21,382- |
| Cumbria Opera Group | Cumbria Opera Group | Cumbria Opera Group | Cumbria Opera Group | Cumbria Opera Group | 1183545 | 1183545 | CC16a | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Receipts and payments accounts | |||||||||
| For the period from |
1/11/22 | To | 31/10/23 | ||||||
| Section A Receipts and payments | |||||||||
| Unrestricted funds |
Restricted funds |
Endowment funds |
Total funds | Last year | |||||
| A3 Payments | |||||||||
| Musicians & Artists Payments | - 37,356- |
- -- |
- -- |
- 37,356- |
- 7,144- |
||||
| Accommodation | - 8,000- |
- -- |
- -- |
- 8,000- |
- -- |
||||
| Instrument Hire & Servicing | - 1,365- |
- -- |
- -- |
- 1,365- |
- 45- |
||||
| Venue Hire | - 5,708- |
- -- |
- -- |
- 5,708- |
- 50- |
||||
| Lighting, Sound & Film | - 2,982- |
- -- |
- -- |
- 2,982- |
- 1,565- |
||||
| Ticket Refunds | - 12- |
- -- |
- -- |
- 12- |
- -- |
||||
| Printing & Publicity | - 1,652- |
- -- |
- -- |
- 1,652- |
- 556- |
||||
| Opera Set Payments | - 4,195- |
- -- |
- -- |
- 4,195- |
- -- |
||||
| Props & Costumes | - 802- |
- -- |
- -- |
- 802- |
- -- |
||||
| Other Logistical Payments | - 1,741- |
- -- |
- -- |
- 1,741- |
- 767- |
||||
| **Sub total ** | - 63,813- |
- -- |
- -- |
- 63,813- |
- 10,127- |
||||
| A4 Asset and investment purchases | |||||||||
| - -- |
- -- |
- -- |
- -- |
||||||
| - -- |
- -- |
- -- |
- -- |
||||||
| Sub total Total payments Net of receipts/(payments) A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end |
- -- |
- -- |
- -- |
- -- |
|||||
| - 63,813- |
- -- |
- -- |
- 63,813- |
- 10,127- |
|||||
| - 8,022- |
- -- |
- -- |
- 8,022- |
- 11,255- |
|||||
| - -- |
- -- |
- -- |
- -- |
- -- |
|||||
| - 14,922- |
- -- |
- -- |
- 14,922- |
- 3,667- |
Cumbria Opera Group 1183545 CC16a Receipts and payments accounts For the period 1/11/22 To 31/10/23 from
Section A Receipts and payments
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total funds Last year funds funds funds Cash funds this year end 6,900 - - 6,900 14,922
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
| Categories B1 Cash funds |
Details Cash in Bank |
Unrestricted to nearest £ - 6,900- - -- |
Restricted to nearest £ - -- - -- |
Endowment to nearest £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash in Bank | - 6,900- |
- -- |
- -- |
|
| - -- |
- -- |
- -- |
||
| B2 Other monetary assets | Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Details Details |
- 6,900- |
- -- |
- -- |
| OK | ||||
| Unrestricted funds to nearest £ - -- - -- - -- Fund to which asset belongs |
Restricted funds to nearest £ - -- - -- - -- Cost (optional) |
Endowment funds to nearest £ |
||
| - -- |
||||
| - -- |
||||
| - -- |
||||
| Current value (optional) |
Cumbria Opera Group 1183545 CC16a Receipts and payments accounts For the period 1/11/22 To 31/10/23 from
Section A Receipts and payments
| Unrestricted funds Restricted funds |
Endowment funds |
Total funds | Last year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B3 Investment assets B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use B5 Liabilities Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees |
- -- |
- -- |
||
| - -- |
- -- |
|||
| - -- |
- -- |
|||
| Current value (optional) |
||||
| - -- |
||||
| - -- |
||||
| - -- |
||||
| When due (optional) |
||||
| Date of approval |
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| 7th December 2023 |
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