## **The Boaty Theatre Company CIO** Registered Charity No: 1185724 Registered Address: Chalice Media Studios 8 Cambridge Road, Ellesmere Port, CH65 4AG ## **Trustees’ Annual Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2024** ## **Structure, Governance and Management** The Boaty Theatre Company CIO is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation governed by its constitution adopted in 2019. The charity is managed by a board of trustees who hold regular meetings to oversee financial sustainability, strategic direction, and compliance with the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. ## **Objectives and Activities** - To advance education in the performing arts for children, young people and adults in Ellesmere Port and the wider North West; - To promote inclusion, wellbeing, and creative opportunity through theatre, music, and community arts; - To provide accessible workshops, productions, and mentoring programmes that encourage participation and self-expression across diverse and underrepresented groups. Throughout 2024, Boaty continued to prioritise creative learning and community engagement wherever possible despite severe financial and logistical challenges. With the loss of The Boat Shed premises in April 2023, the company entered 2024 without a fixed base of operations. This had a significant impact on the organisation’s ability to deliver classes, host events, or generate sustainable income through venue hire and inhouse productions. ## **Achievements and Performance** Despite these difficulties, the company worked tirelessly to maintain artistic activity and uphold its charitable purpose: - Produced and performed 'As You Like It' at both The Gladstone Theatre and Shakespeare North Playhouse, continuing the company’s commitment to Community-led and Youth-led Shakespeare performance and creative collaboration. - Continued to engage young people and community participants through workshops and local arts partnerships, even when reliant on hired community spaces. - Maintained positive public engagement through volunteer efforts and small-scale events, ensuring that Boaty’s creative presence in Ellesmere Port remained visible and active. Unfortunately, the charity was unable to take part in the National Theatre Connections Festival for the first time, due to the ongoing absence of a permanent rehearsal and performance base and the lack of project-specific funding. ## **Financial Review** 2024 was a financially constrained year. The charity recorded modest income from supporter donations, ticket sales, and community workshops, offset by necessary expenditure on venue hire, subscriptions, and basic operational costs. The Income & Expenditure Statement for the year shows total receipts of £949.44, total payments of £898.12, and a year-end closing balance of £106.81, reflecting a net surplus of £51.32 after a challenging period. This modest surplus demonstrates prudent cost control and consistent supporter engagement despite the absence of a fixed premises and reduced programme delivery. Trustees acknowledge that the charity operated on minimal reserves throughout the year and that financial resilience remains a key priority moving forward. ## **Reserves Policy** The trustees aim to maintain a modest reserve sufficient to cover essential running costs for a three-month period. However, given the ongoing challenge of re-establishing a permanent base, the charity’s reserves at 31 December 2024 were below target. The board continues to seek sustainable funding sources and partnership support to rebuild stability. ## **Plans for Future Periods (2025 onwards)** Looking ahead, The Boaty Theatre Company CIO intends to: - Secure a new creative base within Ellesmere Port, providing space for rehearsals, youth programmes, and community hire; - Launch the Join O.U.R. Crew initiative, expanding access to arts training and creative opportunities for local young people; - Strengthen partnerships with local schools, arts venues and community organisations; - Resume participation in national theatre programmes and begin development of new touring and original productions. The trustees remain committed to rebuilding Boaty’s creative capacity and ensuring its long-term future as a vital community arts organisation. ## **Trustees’ Acknowledgement** The trustees wish to thank the volunteers, young participants, families, and local partners who have continued to support The Boaty Theatre Company CIO through a challenging period. Their dedication, resilience, and belief in Boaty’s mission have enabled the organisation to survive and prepare for renewal. ## **Signed by Angela Garrod.** Chair of Trustees ## **Financial Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2024** ## **Income & Expenditure Statement – Financial Year 2024** |**Month**|**Opening Balance**|**Income**|**Expenditure**|**Closing Balance**|**Net Cash Flow**| |---|---|---|---|---|---| |**Jan**|-0.24|37|42.22|-5.46|-5.22| |**Feb**|-5.46|325.42|320.60|-0.64|4.82| |**Mar**|-0.64|329.12|306.03|22.45|23.09| |**Apr**|22.45|37|40.22|19.23|-3.22| |**May**|19.23|769.10|788.13|0.20|-19.03| |**Jun**|0.20|49|26.20|23.00|22.8| |**Jul**|23|37.24|38.76|21.48|-1.52| |**Aug**|21.48|37.27|44.89|13.86|-7.62| |**Sep**|13.86|938.44|882.07|70.23|56.37| |**Oct**|70.23|37|31.22|76.01|5.78| |**Nov**|76.01|52.24|41.46|86.79|10.78| |**Dec**|86.79|37|16.98|106.81|20.02| ## **Annual Totals** ## **Trustees’ Financial Summary Narrative (2024)** |**Metric**|**Amount (£)**| |---|---| |**Total Income**|2685.83| |**Total Expenditure**|2578.78| |**Net Surplus**|107.05| |**Closing Balance**|106.81| The Boaty Theatre Company CIO has maintained consistent community arts engagement and education activities throughout 2024, with a steady flow of small donations, ticket sales, and workshop income. Major income sources included recurring supporter donations, theatre partnerships, and local funding for inclusive youth projects. Operating expenditure was primarily directed toward creative delivery costs, marketing, subscriptions (such as Adobe and Apple), and modest administrative fees. Despite limited cash reserves, the charity closed the year with a positive balance of £106.81, representing a net surplus of approximately £51.32. This reflects prudent financial management and the organisation’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and community impact.