**Charity Registration Number: 1188701** # **METROPOLITAN POLICE CHOIR ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30[TH] APRIL 2024** Metropolitan Police Choir Trustees Annual Report to 30[th] April 2024 1 |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 2024 2 ## 2.0 Trustees Report The Trustees of the Metropolitan Police Choir present its annual report and financial statements for the year ending 30[th] April 2024. ## 3.0 Legal & Administrative Information |**Charity Name:**|Metropolitan Police Choir| |---|---| |**Charity Number:**|1188701| |**Principal Address:**|New Scotland Yard| ||Victoria Embankment| ||London| ||SW1A 2JL| |**Trustees:**|Commander Simon Messinger| ||Caroline Saunderson| ||Khan Laurence| ||Tom Cresswell| ||Richard Fox| ||Mark Webster| ||David Lane| ||Tess Whitelee| ||Rebecca Nicholson-Lord| ||Bartlomiej Mielniczuk| |**Treasurer:**|Khan Laurence| |**Secretary:**|Tom Cresswell| |**Musical Director**|Richard Fox| |**Life Vice President**|Leslie Stowe| |**Independent**|Wayne Phillips| |**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. Metropolitan Police Choir Trustees Annual Report to 30[th] April 2024 3 The charity is governed by elected Trustees. The Trustees are elected by the choir’s 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 receive 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 This year has seen the choir emerge from the post-COVID slump that effected so much of the performing arts industry. We have increased the number of performances by around 50% and continued to recruit new members. The choir continues to enjoy the support of the most senior leadership of the Metropolitan Police as we play our part in working towards a New Met for London. During this period, we have undertaken two of our own concerts. In June 2023, the choir returned to Holy Sepulchre Church for our annual Summer Concert. Audience numbers were around 230, which against a challenging economic backdrop was extremely positive. The choir worked hard to develop their choral singing and it was clear from the audience response that this effort had paid off. The acoustic of this stunning church really did shine through and many audience Metropolitan Police Choir Trustees Annual Report to 30[th] April 2024 4 members heaped praised on the overall performance and the move to performing more ‘choral’ music, with some old favourites thrown in too. In December 2023, we organised our own Christmas Concerts, which were performed to full houses at both events. We received fantastic feedback from a most appreciative audience of not just friends and relatives but also fans and followers from around London and further afield. It was a great privilege to be able to perform in a different venue this year, the beautiful Holy Trinity Church in Chelsea. This year also saw the culmination of a long planned project – recording an album at the world famous Abbey Road Studios. Mindful of the high costs involved in such a project, we had been building up reserves in our funding over a number of years. The project was considered a positive opportunity to engage with a wider audience through circulation on online streaming platforms. We also printed a number of CDs in order to offset some of the costs. These would provide for future opportunities to collaborate and raise funds for other organisations. We also considered that it would raise awareness and educate the public in relation to the activities and music of the MPC and developing public interest in the charity. Finally, it provided an opportunity for members of the MPC, and as a result the MPS, to learn and develop musical skills and new music. The Trustees carefully considered all this against the costs involved and agreed it was in line with the aims stated in our Constitution. The Trustees have 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 charity’s aims and objectives. Of particular note in this regard, the choir has: - Continued to support the MPS Long Service Ceremonies throughout the year. This is an opportunity for families and friends to celebrate with those receiving their Long Service and Good Conduct medals and Long Service Certificates. - Performed as part of the Requiem Mass for Deceased Police Officers, held annually at Westminster Cathedral. This year was the 100[th] anniversary of this service and as always, was a poignant and moving way to support bereaved family and friends to remember their loved ones. - Sung at the Road Peace Service. This day has now been recognised as a World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. It is always a most moving and emotional service where the choir are proud to support and give some solace to the families and friends of those so tragically killed on our roads. - Supported London Poppy Day, working with Royal British Legion fundraising volunteers to raise money for their annual appeal. - Hosted a joint concert with Blaenavon Male Voice Choir. The MPC network stretches far and wide and this was a great opportunity to perform with a very different choir and raise money for a local London charity, SMART. - Celebrated Christmas several times over, performing at the Commissioner’s Christmas Carol Service in Westminster Abbey, as well as Metropolitan Police Choir Trustees Annual Report to 30[th] April 2024 5 at a number of concerts organised by Met operational units for and with their local communities. ## 6.0 Financial Review ## 6.1 Financial Position The balance sheet of the Metropolitan Police Choir at 30[th] April 2024 shows total net assets of £20,699.87, comprised of £4,319.90 of Debtors and £16,379.97 of Cash held in the Bank Account. 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 future projects and events going forward. This includes funding additional activities related to celebrating the Choir’s Ten Year Anniversary in 2026. The statement of financial activities shows that in this financial period, the charity generated total income of £40,161.98 and incurred total expenditure of £47,201.84 giving a total net operating deficit of £7,039.86. Total expenditure in 2023/24 was £22,635.25 higher than the previous year, which was largely attributable to the cost of the Abbey Road Recording Project (£16,895.14) for the Christmas CD and more performances and concerts undertaken during the year. This additional expenditure was partially offset by increased income of £11,104.96 through the increased performance activities and revenue generated from the sale of the Christmas CD. ## 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, such as one off costs related to the forthcoming Ten Year Anniversary Events. 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 the MPAA Grant, membership subscriptions, Gift Aid, sponsorship, performance charges, MPC concert charges 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. ## 7.0 Declaration The Trustees of the Metropolitan Police Choir declare that they have approved the Trustees report above on 27 January 2025 and they have mandated the ViceChair to sign on their behalf: Metropolitan Police Choir Trustees Annual Report to 30[th] April 2024 6 Caroline Saunderson, Vice-chair Metropolitan Police Choir Trustees Annual Report to 30 April 2024 th 8.0 Independent Examiners Report CHARITY (OMMISSION FOR E￿LaND AIIO VIAIIS Indopondent •xaminerfs rnport on the accounts Sqcbon A Ir*d¢pwndgni EKambTborfB R4pLwt R•port ￿ th• tru•t• Chwlty no 11a87V1 Tr￿1.) foi 30 104 12024. rfv der 146 glip• 2011 orbj •1 ¢¥r>vio my •*•Y•WW, I Ap￿+catI￿ g14w •e¢•un 1446llbl allhltl. IDd•pwnd•n¢ I fv0￿ my *&ynlp*n. l o)rfYrn Ih•l Th) rn•1&41 m•ll•r3 oftl* Ch•tsB tho •c¢Crt￿￿ ¢Jd pdt **lh tho ￿th￿r11r￿J ￿¥￿1. *X (AGwJrrfg aTra Rep£itsl Re9￿*￿.&￿￿ zQ￿ **hw Imn ary reqwurK It* •CCOLXrts and • m CPA *￿traIl1 q￿￿1￿Mi￿1•) or body OGt 2011 Metropolitan Police Choir Trustees Annual Report to 30 April 2024 th 9.0 Balance Sheet Metropolitan Police Choir Trustees Annual Report to 30 April 2024 th Metropolitan Police Choir Charity Commission Registration Number 1188701 Balance Sheet - Detail As at April 30, 2024 Cuffent Assets Debtors 4,319_90 Cash At Bank And In Hand 16,379_97 Net Assets 20,699.87 Funds & ReseNes unfestr￿led General Funds 20.699.87 Funds Provided 20,699.87 10.0 Activities Statement of Financial Metropolitan Police Choir Trustees Annual Report to 30 April 2024 th io Metropolitan Police Choir Statement of Financial Activities (Receipts & Payments) May 1. 2023 to April 30, 2024 (compared to May 1, 2022 to April 30. 2023} Unrestricte Toial Prior Total Dirterence Change 9,607.tK) 9,607.tK) 6.1(￿).[￿) 3.507. 1,070.D) 1,070.D) 1,070DJ ()It￿￿ Cltimed 1.077. -1.077￿3 -1fA)% 6.528.LK) 6,528.LK) 4,560.1M) 1.968.LbJ CD ReC￿d￿g Sg*s 4.327.Tr) 4,327.Tr) 4.3271XJ MPAA Ikn 820.39 820.39 6.954.43 4.134J)4 6,5W.IX) 6,5LMI.IX) 4,LW. 2.5(X)Jx) IAPC Ccocerts J(xnt Concert. We Voy¢e Cl 1.255.75 1255.75 1255_75 7.586.70 7,586.70 3.621. 3.765J5 MPC SuTrYner Ccficert 2.917.65 2,917.65 2,gJ3.82 -76.17 TOW ReceiMs 40.61149 0.00 4Q612A9 29,￿7.$) 11.10496 Metropolitan Police Choir Trustees Annual Report to 30 April 2024 th li Charrt*JkAdi**es Charity kkngen%nt & A¢knrithat*Jn AS￿r4a￿ 8 Affilatic ￿L￿1c Kkntmhip 219. 219.￿) 140.C 79.C 425.10 425 10 425.1D Llic LbaL¥kty Insw 104.C 104.DJ kcha -100% Unre$tricled Total % ChBn WeL￿e 366.39 30720 59.19 A¢countir#J Ctwges 186.48 186.4B 186.48 Bwk Ch 9525 9525 95 864.14 864.14 864.14 70.71 70.71 7D.71 71.44 -71.44 26.97 -26.97 538. 174.02 364.78 21￿￿ Metropolitan Police Choir Trustees Annual Report to 30 April 2024 th 12 3,098.40 3,L)98.40 2,12524 973_16 2,220.9) 2,Lf.SO 22YJS0 1,717.91 1,7T7.91 1.748.95 28 401) 4020 40 3.649.[￿) 3.649. 3.168. 481_(Ml 15% 16&65 168.65 162.70 4% 2.45&9J 2.458.gJ 1.062. Rec￿oI¥j.￿ Rc*d 16.895.14 16,895.14 16.895.14 4.36S.25 4,36S.25 5,298.2S 6,760.fJ 6,7￿.23 6,891. -1￿.77 3,356.30 2.$91.85 764.45 -101% Unre$trid¢d Tot•1 Diifem Total Pa￿￿rtS 47.652J5 .00 0.00 47.652.35 2&017.10 22.63525 l RÉ(*iO 40.61149 0.00 40,612.49 29,507.53 11,104.96 47.65135 0.00 47,652JS 2&017.10 22.63525 9LPh Net M¢>vemert in Fthmts -7,039.86 0.00 -7,039.86 4,490.43 -11.530.29 -257% Total BrW Fc(ward 21419.83 0.00 23,419.83 18,929.40 4,490A3 24% Toial Caried Fomard 1Q379.97 0.00 16J79.97 23,419.83 -7,039A6 Metropolitan Police Choir Trustees Annual Report to 30 April 2024 th 13