Charity Registraton Number: 1188701
METROPOLITAN POLICE CHOIR
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30[TH] APRIL 2023
Metropolitan Police Choir Trustees Annual Report to 30[th] April 2023
1
1.0 Contents
| 1.0 | Contents |
|---|---|
| 1.0 | Contents....................................................................................................................................2 |
| 2.0 | Trustees Report.........................................................................................................................3 |
| 3.0 | Legal & Administratve Informaton...........................................................................................3 |
| 4.0 | Structure & Governance............................................................................................................3 |
| 5.0 | Objectves & Actvites...............................................................................................................4 |
| 5.1 | Purposes................................................................................................................................4 |
| 5.2 | Actvites & Public Beneft......................................................................................................4 |
| 6.0 | Financial Review........................................................................................................................5 |
| 6.1 | Financial Positon...................................................................................................................5 |
| 6.2 | Reserves Policy......................................................................................................................5 |
| 6.3 | Sources of Funding................................................................................................................5 |
| 6.4 | Investments Policy.................................................................................................................5 |
| 7.0 | Declaraton................................................................................................................................5 |
| 8.0 | Independent Examiners Report.................................................................................................6 |
| 9.0 | Balance Sheet............................................................................................................................8 |
| 10.0 | Statement of Financial Actvites................................................................................................9 |
Metropolitan Police Choir Trustees Annual Report to 30[th] April 2023
2
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 2023.
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 DeMontort | |
| David Lane | |
| Tess Whitelee | |
| Sarah Pearce | |
| Treasurer: | James Bister |
| Secretary: | Tom Cresswell |
| Musical Director | Richard Fox |
| Life Vice President | Leslie Stowe |
| Independent Examiner | Wayne Phillips |
| 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.
Metropolitan Police Choir Trustees Annual Report to 30[th] April 2023
3
The charity is governed by elected Trustees. The Trustees are elected by the choirs membership at the Annual General Meeting. Trustees’ roles include Chair, 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:
-
Richard Fox, Musical Director
-
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:
-
foster the development of public education in relation to the artistic and scientific attributes pertaining to choral music undertaken by the Metropolitan Police Choir;
-
promote, improve, develop and maintain public interest in choral music by the presentation of concerts and other activities involving or relating to choral music;
-
advance the musical education of the Metropolitan Police and the British Police Service;
-
promote and further the efficiency of the Metropolitan Police through greater community engagement, development and cohesion with the public; and
-
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 recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic has been slow and has had some effect on the ability of the charity to deliver some of its planned activities. This has been coupled with other factors beyond the control of the charity which have culminated in significantly high inflation and impacts on the cost of living. This has had an impact on the willingness and ability of other groups to ask for and pay for our services and the public more widely to be able to support us.
During this reporting period, the MPC Summer and Christmas Concerts were able to take place. The Summer Concert took place on Saturday 18[th] June 2022 at St James Church, Paddington with over 200 supporters, families and friends joining us to hear musical pieces such as The Sound of Silence, Sogno de Valare, Underneath the Stars and Worth is the Lamb and Amen Chorus.
The Christmas Concerts was held on Saturday 17[th] December 2022 at Holy Sepulchre Church, High Holborn and was unfortunately affected by National Rail strike action, meaning many friends and family were unable to attend. Given the cancellations which were enforced as a result of COVID-19, we decided not to cancel these concerts so that those who could attend would have the opportunity to hear and sing traditional carols and other wintertime pieces.
Metropolitan Police Choir Trustees Annual Report to 30[th] April 2023
4
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:
-
The choir continued to support the MPS Long Service Ceremonies throughout the year; an opportunity to celebrate with those receiving their Long Service and Good Conduct medals and Long Service certificates.
-
The choir was invited back to be part of the Requiem Mass for Deceased Police Officers, held annually at Westminster Cathedral and in its 99[th] year. 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.
-
As a result of our ongoing partnership with Holy Sepulchre Church, we held a fundraising concert for the Church in May 2022, raising a large amount of money to help the church in raising funds to replace its organ.
-
The choir also supported friends and families for those linked to the MPS who had died or been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic at a service of Remembrance and Reflection, held at Westminster Abbey in July 2022.
-
Following on from a previous concert, where Essex Police Choir travelled to and performed in London with the choir, the decision was taken to reunite again but this time in Essex, at Chelmsford Cathedral, a magnificent setting for a joint concert in September 2022.
-
Due to train strikes, some of our usual Christmas engagements were cancelled in 2022, but the Choir were able to join Westminster, Lambeth and Southwark for their carol services.
-
The choir were also able to celebrate with colleagues from around country by singing at the National PCSO Awards Ceremony held in London in January 2023.
6.0 Financial Review
6.1 Financial Position
The balance sheet of the Metropolitan Police Choir at 30[th] April 2023 shows total net assets of £23,419.83. 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 higher than anticipated with the Trustees making a conscious decision to generate additional funds in order to fund projects going forward.
The statement of financial activities shows that in this financial period, the charity had a total income of £29, 507.53 and a total expenditure of £25,017.10 hence a total net surplus of £4,490.43.
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, Gift Aid, sponsorship, performance charges, MPC concert charges and other ancillary income.
Metropolitan Police Choir Trustees Annual Report to 30[th] April 2023
5
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.
7.0 Declaration
The Trustees of the Metropolitan Police Choir declare that they have approved the Trustees report above on 11 Jun 24 and they have mandated the Treasurer to sign on their behalf:
James Bister, Treasurer
Metropolitan Police Choir Trustees Annual Report to 30[th] April 2023
6
8.0 Independent Examiners Report FC IMJ WLES Ser.iJW A InOF•tyS•r4 EAwr*n•r s R•porT Metropolitan Police Choir Trustees Annual Report to 30, April 2023
9.0 Balance Sheet
Metropolitan Police Choir
Charity Commission Registraton Number 188701 Balance Sheet
May 1, 2022 to April 30, 2023
| Current Assets Cash At Bank And In Hand Net Assets Funds & Reserves Accumulated Funds (01/05/22 – 30/04/23) Balance Brought Forward Balance Carried Forward |
23,419.83 |
|---|---|
| 23,419.83 4,490.43 18,929.40 |
|
| 23,419.40 |
Metropolitan Police Choir Trustees Annual Report to 30[th] April 2023
8
10.0 Statement of Financial Activities Metropolitan Police Choir Trustees Annual Report to 30, April 2023
Metropolltan Pollce Cholr Statement of Financial Activities (Receipts & Payments) May 1, 2022 to April 30, 2023 (compared to May 1, 2021 to April 30, 20221 Tolil PthrTalil o.i(o 6,1COXII 1.07793 11)77.93 $34B3 Y3.10 MPA4tsrnnt 95443 8.954.4Y 1.352 s.1 47 414 4.0fy) 4,(o)no 4,rkn). MPcChd&kn5ct 3.¥1 3 3B21.3S 3,821 35 195382 T(WR•p •fj•T.SJ 117¥7.79 18.7£•74 170% ills Gl 71.44 21.97 140 140.(K) 2F5th1 -135 49% 137 Metropolitan Police Choir Trustees Annual Report to 30, April 2023 io
%Chwn 30T2 3QT20 EqutyThenl 19)37 Z12524 2.12&24 2.1¥24 1.T4895 1.T4& 1.74b15 &ie6. 3,10&. 1.371. 1.797.ts) 162.TO BB40 1.3gs 12 &113 2.18475 &891 091. 4.525rM) 2.Y8B 2300. oM.00 Z591 85 2.591. 1.U876 1.143Q Tola 24017.1q 217.10 92JT2 Al R•Ébw 24UaT.OJ OJ 07.52 I•.TJT.7• 1,7.74 ITS% Al 2&01T.10 2WIT.•O 1S,TF>tsI 92JT.2 Net 4AJ om 4,012.ot FundBBrnuuhtForn4 QAD 24971A2 .02 low FundiCanlbdFor*d 1441•.BJ 4•JAJ Metropolitan Police Choir Trustees Annual Report to 30, April 2023 li