Charity Registration Number: 1188701
METROPOLITAN POLICE CHOIR ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30[TH] APRIL 2022
Metropolitan Police Choir Trustees Annual Report to 30[th] April 2022
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| 1.0 | Contents |
|---|---|
| 1.0 | Contents.......................................................................................................2 |
| 2.0 | Trustees Report............................................................................................3 |
| 3.0 | Legal & Administrative Information..............................................................3 |
| 4.0 | Structure & Governance...............................................................................3 |
| 5.0 | Objectives & Activities..................................................................................4 |
| 5.1 | Purposes...................................................................................................4 |
| 5.2 | Activities & Public Beneft.........................................................................4 |
| 6.0 | Financial Review...........................................................................................5 |
| 6.1 | Financial Position.......................................................................................5 |
| 6.2 | Reserves Policy.........................................................................................5 |
| 6.3 | Sources of Funding....................................................................................5 |
| 6.4 | Investments Policy....................................................................................5 |
| 7.0 | Declaration...................................................................................................5 |
| 8.0 | Independent Examiners Report....................................................................6 |
| 9.0 | Balance Sheet..............................................................................................8 |
| 10.0 | Statement of Financial Activities..................................................................9 |
Metropolitan Police Choir Trustees Annual Report to 30[th] April 2022
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2.0 Trustees Report
The Trustees of the Metropolitan Police Choir present its annual report and financial statements for the year end 30[th] April 2022.
3.0 Legal & Administrative Information
| Charity Name: | Metropolitan Police Choir |
|---|---|
| Charity Number: | 1188701 |
| Principal Address: | New Scotland Yard |
| Victoria Embankment | |
| London | |
| SW1A 2JL | |
| Trustees: | Chief Superintendent Simon Messinger |
| James Bister | |
| Tom Cresswell | |
| Richard Fox | |
| Mark Webster | |
| Lee DeMontfort | |
| David Lane | |
| Tess Whitelee | |
| Sarah Pearce | |
| Treasurer: | James Bister |
| Secretary: | Tom Cresswell |
| Musical Director | Richard Fox |
| Life Vice President | Leslie Stowe |
| Independent | Elle Wadham, Assistant Finance Technician MPS |
| Examiner | |
| Bankers | Santander Bank |
4.0 Structure & Governance
The Metropolitan Police Choir (the charity, also the Met Police Choir or MPC) is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation which was granted charitable status on 23[rd] March 2020 by the Charity Commission of England with Charity Number 1188701
The governing document for the charity is the Constitution of the Metropolitan Police Choir dated 6[th] January 2020.
The charity is governed by elected Trustees. The Trustees are elected by the choirs membership at the Annual General Meeting. Trustees’ roles include Chair,
Metropolitan Police Choir Trustees Annual Report to 30[th] April 2022
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Vice-Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, Musical Director and Musical Section Representatives.
The Trustees hold meetings throughout the year. The Trustees are volunteers and do not get remuneration for their role as a Trustee (the Musical Director receives remuneration for their activity within that role but has no vote on financial matters).
The charity has no employees. It uses the services of musical professionals who work on a freelance basis, including:
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Richard Fox, Musical Director
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Helen Payne, Musical Accompanist
5.0 Objectives & Activities
5.1 Purposes
The charity’s purposes as set out in the objects contained in the Constitution are to:
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foster the development of public education in relation to the artistic and scientific attributes pertaining to choral music undertaken by the Metropolitan Police Choir;
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promote, improve, develop and maintain public interest in choral music by the presentation of concerts and other activities involving or relating to choral music;
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advance the musical education of the Metropolitan Police and the British Police Service;
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promote and further the efficiency of the Metropolitan Police through greater community engagement, development and cohesion with the public; and
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further such charitable purpose(s) as the trustees shall, in their absolute discretion, think fit. This includes, but is by no means limited to: (i) the making of grants; (ii) donations; and/or (iii) supporting others in charitable fundraising activities.
5.2 Activities & Public Benefit
As with many performing arts groups and charities through this reporting period, the COVID-19 pandemic affected the ability of the charity to deliver many of its planned activities. In line with the UK Governments regulation and guidance, all in-person choir activities remained cancelled until August 2021 when a very slow and cautious resumption of in-person rehearsals began. Having not sung together for over 12 months, it took some time before the choir was ready to resume performance activities.
Unfortunately, due to government restrictions, the MPC Summer Concert was not able to take place and then due to a resurgence in the Autumn/Winter 2021 with the Omicron Variant, the decision was taken to cancel the MPC Christmas Concerts.
Metropolitan Police Choir Trustees Annual Report to 30[th] April 2022
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The Trustees kept in mind the Charity Commission’s guidance on Public Benefit when making decisions throughout this period, ensuring that activities were delivered in line with the charities aims and objectives.
Throughout this period, the charity has delivered:
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The choir continued to support the MPS Long Service Ceremonies when they resumed in September, initially with smaller more socially distanced choir in line with the cautious return to in-person activities.
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The choir was invited back to be part of the Requiem Mass for Deceased Police Officers, held annually at Westminster Cathedral. This event is something that choir looks forward to each year to support bereaved friends and family of deceased police officers in remembering their loved ones.
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As a result of the Omicron Variant, many of the usual Christmas engagements were cancelled in 2021 with the Choir only performing at the Westminster BCU Carol Service.
6.0 Financial Review
6.1 Financial Position
The balance sheet of the Metropolitan Police Choir at 30[th] April 2022 shows total net assets of £18929.40. The Trustees believe that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence and meet its liabilities as they fall due for the foreseeable future. It is noted that the current net assets are lower than anticipated with the Trustees making a conscious decision to spend additional funds in order to protect choristers and bring them back together as a choir as it returned to in person rehearsals during this period.
The statement of financial activities shows that in this financial period, the charity had a total income of £10,737.79 and a total expenditure of £15,779.81 hence a total net deficit of £5,042.02.
6.2 Reserves Policy
The charity has a Reserves Policy in place which was agreed in January 2022. The current assets held by the charity are considered capable of withstanding any short or medium term fluctuations in income and expenditure. This is combined with the ability of the Trustees to make decisions in relation to the type and level of activity undertaken by the Charity to moderate income and expenditure.
6.3 Sources of Funding
This year the sources of funding were MPAA Grant, membership subscriptions, sponsorship, performance charges, donations and other ancillary income.
6.4 Investments Policy
Under the Constitution, the Trustees of the Charity have the power to make investments however it sees fit in line with the furtherance of its objectives. The Trustees have not considered investments this year.
Metropolitan Police Choir Trustees Annual Report to 30[th] April 2022
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7.0 Declaration
The Trustees of the Metropolitan Police Choir declare that they have approved the Trustees report above on 26[th] February 2023 and they have mandated the Treasurer to sign on their behalf:
James Bister, Treasurer
Metropolitan Police Choir Trustees Annual Report to 30[th] April 2022
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8.0 Independent Examiners Report CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Rep to the Iriisiee 118B701 lrf•nyl Kjer 8p¢kn 145 2011 Ad •¥J in cawTrvwJ myeyxnrth, I WKJer 149SXblirftt*A Ll theAct 2410212023 quthrKatI$1 body Irf Oc1d 2018 Metropolitan Police Choir Trustees Annual Report to 30" April 2022
Section B Disclosuie October 2018 Metropolitan Police Choir Trustees Annual Report to 30" April 2022
9.0 Balance Sheet
Metropolitan Police Choir Charity Commission Registration Number 188701 Balance Sheet May 1, 2021 to April 30, 2022
| Current Assets Cash At Bank And In Hand Net Assets Funds & Reserves Accumulated Funds (01/05/20 – 30/04/21) Balance Brought Forward Balance Carried Forward |
18,929.40 |
|---|---|
| 18,929.40 -5,042.02 23,971.42 |
|
| 18,929.40 |
Metropolitan Police Choir Trustees Annual Report to 30[th] April 2022
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10.0 Statement of Financial Activities Mgtropolltan Poll¢e Cholr ststoment of Flnancial Actlvitles IRe¢eSpts & Payments) May 1, 2021 to Aprll 30, 2022 Icomparod to May 1, 2020 to Apdl 30, 20211 TWI 4.75OC¢J 4.750 4.53483 4.eJ4B) 1.3529 1.35246 10.7J7.7• 1.17405 01 EqulpTh 19B.37 199.J7 ?.e40JQ .1.7.70 9.92850 2,801.00 7.121.SO ¢*a 1.4467$ J.JX2 Tu IX.10 11779Ji •J19.74 IW07 71Y4 IR 1i7Jy.n 19.7¥7.7• 10,191.lJ IY17 IP4yTh 131•.74 •.MD.P7 -E.OIZD2 1,379.JB 421.0 21•71A2 ?3.971.48 22,692 iJ7• Tolal Fwdi rPlI lJ,•71Jl Metropolitan Police Choir Trustees Annual Report to 30, April 2022 io