Registered Charity Number: 1190010
OPERA ON LOCATION (CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION)
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
| OPERA ON LOCATION | YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 | YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| CONTENTS | Page | |
| Legal and Administrative Information | 3 | |
| Trustees’ Annual Report | 4 | |
| Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Opera on Location | 8 | |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 9 | |
| Balance Sheet | 10 | |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 11 |
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OPERA ON LOCATION
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Status
Opera on Location is governed by a constitution and is registered under the Charities Act 2011 as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (Charity Registration Number: 1190010) from 19 June 2020.
Trustees
David Allen Sallianne Foster-Major Daniel Leitch (appointed 26 April 2022) Jim Steinke (appointed 26 April 2022) Kate Thompson
Charity Address
7 Victoria Park Road Brimington Chesterfield S43 1QP
Bankers
NatWest 5 Market Place Chesterfield S40 1TW
Independent Examiners
Faye Hazlehurst FMAAT FH Accountancy Services Hawkshead Crescent Anston Sheffield S25 4JU
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OPERA ON LOCATION
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
The objectives of Opera on Location are to advance public education, appreciation and understanding of the arts, particularly the art of opera in all its aspects, by the production and presentation of public operatic performances.
To reach its objectives, Opera on Location innovatively stage affordable high-quality opera in unconventional performance spaces sung in English by young performers in the early stages of their careers/professional singers requiring further stage experience.
Public benefit
The aims and benefits of Opera on Location are contained within the body of this Report. We have considered the key principles of the Charity Commission’s general guidance about public benefit and have concluded that Opera on Location meets all the requirements.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
Following the success of Opera on Location’s previous season and the production of Debussy’s The Prodigal Son and the collaboration with Hallam Sinfonia, the company was delighted to be once again planning for a return to live, indoor performances as they did before the pandemic.
Opera on Location was thrilled to receive funding from Arts Council England for a new and innovative production of Mascagni’s Cavalleria rusticana and Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci . For the first time, Opera on Location offered ‘wellbeing through singing’ workshops to community groups in Sheffield who then had the opportunity to come and see the opera free of charge.
Alongside funding from Arts Council England, Opera on Location was delighted to also have received funding from Sheffield Town Trust, The Golsoncott Foundation and The Arnold Clark Community Fund.
A return to indoor theatre production brought with it challenges and highlighted a lasting impact from the Covid-19 pandemic. Opera on Location’s producers planned for this and managed the budget accordingly by only predicting 50% of available tickets being sold. The overall audience figures were 270 of an available 540 seats. This shows that audiences were still hesitant to attend live, indoor theatre, but things were moving in the right direction. Tickets were sold via the Opera on Location website at £21/19 (concessions) including a booking fee.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The Trustees are satisfied with the result for the year ended 31 March 2023, being a surplus of £7,005 (2022: deficit of £192).
Total income in the year ended 31 March 2023 amounted to £42,068 (2022: £22,525). This consisted of grant income of £33,652 (2022: £14,999), income from charitable activities of £5,501 (2022: £6,580), donations from individuals of £2,908 (2022: £946) and income from investments of £7 (2022: £nil).
Total expenditure in the year ended 31 March 2023 amounted to £35,063 (2022: £35,063).
At 31 March 2023, the charity held total funds of £9,928 (2022: £2,923), consisting of £3,678 (2022: £2,923) of unrestricted funds and £6,250 (2022: £nil) of restricted funds.
Reserves Policy
It is the Trustees’ policy to maintain a level of free reserves which provides a stable base for their continuing activities, whilst at the same time ensuring excessive funds are not accumulated. As at 31 March 2023, the charity held free reserves of £3,678 (2022: £2,923). Opera on Location aims to hold unrestricted reserves of 6 to 12 months of annual expenditure, and so will continue to build its reserves to meet this target.
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OPERA ON LOCATION
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
STRUCTURE AND GOVERNANCE
Structure
Opera on Location is governed by a constitution and is registered under the Charities Act 2011 as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (Charity Registration Number: 1190010) from 19 June 2020.
Governance
New trustees are appointed at duly convened meetings, on the approval of the current trustees. The Board of Trustees comprises a minimum of three trustees with no maximum limit. The trustees meet regularly to review the strategy and performance of the charity.
PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES
The principal risks facing the charity, as considered by the Trustees, include:
1. Not receiving external funding grants Opera on Location were extremely grateful for the funding received during the financial year. If, however, Opera on Location were to be unsuccessful in receiving external funding, the programme of activity would be altered to suit an achievable budget whilst trying to maintain our high production values.
2. Poor quality of performance and loss of audience Opera on Location has gained a fantastic reputation with each project adding to this. The Co-artistic Directors have processes in place when recruiting freelancers to ensure they are of the highest quality available. Opera on Location regularly collects audience feedback after performances to help monitor how productions have been received, this in some extent informs what aspects to expand on with future productions. Furthermore, Opera on Location invites external and peer reviewers to performances for an objective and critical eye.
3. Loss of key personnel Opera on Location is currently a small organisation and so loss of key personnel could have a detrimental impact on the charity. Any such loss of key personnel would be looked into immediately and an action plan drawn up to ensure that the charity would be able to continue to operate smoothly.
4. Global pandemic
Fortunately for Opera on Location, its overheads are low. This allows it to curate a programme which is affordable and achievable depending on the budget available at the time whilst maintaining a creative flair to our programming. Should there be a future pandemic Opera on Location would apply the learnings from during the Covid-19 pandemic.
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OPERA ON LOCATION
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
FUTURE PLANS
Following a lack of funding across the Arts in 2023, Opera on Location’s 2023 plans will be carried forward to 2024.
2024 will celebrate the previous ten years of Opera on Location with the return of an exciting August opera, Opera on Location honours the ten years of activity with a thrilling and somewhat immersive production of Verdi’s A Masked Ball. Director and librettist, Ashley Pearson, is creating a bespoke version of the score and will direct the show to echo the party atmosphere of the piece. Audience members will be encouraged to wear masks, circus acts will set the scene before the performance begins, and with food and drink available to purchase during an extended interval, the year will be kicked off in great fashion.
For the first time Opera on Location will utilise a community chorus made up of amateur singers from across the region. Two choirs have agreed to partner with the charity for this production: Vivacity Community Choir and the Adult Autistic Choir. The remaining chorus roles will be opened up to other amateur singers from across South Yorkshire via an open call. Opera on Location is thrilled to be working with the local community in this way.
A Masked Ball will also feature a 17 piece orchestra which is the largest ensemble Opera on Location have employed to date.
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OPERA ON LOCATION
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards).
The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
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make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charity’s transactions, disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the charity’s constitution. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The Trustees’ Annual Report was approved by the Board of Trustees on 22 January 2024 and signed on their behalf by:
DAVID ALLEN Trustee
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OPERA ON LOCATION
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF OPERA ON LOCATION
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Opera on Location ("the Charity") for the year ended 31 March 2023.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of Opera on Location 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 Charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the application Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner's statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an Independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed: Date: 29 January 2024
Faye Hazlehurst FMAAT FH Accountancy Services Hawkshead Crescent Anston Sheffield S25 4JU
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OPERA ON LOCATION
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES for the year ended 31 March 2023
| Note Income from: Donations and grants 2 Charitable activities 3 Investments 4 Total income Expenditure on: Raising funds 5 Charitable activities 6 Total expenditure Net income / (expenditure) Transfers between funds Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward Net movement in funds Total funds carried forward |
Unrestricted funds Year ended 31 March 2023 £ 4,908 5,501 7 |
Restricted funds Year ended 31 March 2023 £ 31,652 - - 31,652 1,154 24,248 25,402 6,250 - 6,250 - 6,250 6,250 |
Total funds Year ended 31 March 2023 £ 36,560 5,501 7 42,068 3,287 31,776 35,063 7,005 - 7,005 2,923 7,005 9,928 |
Total funds Year ended 31 March 2022 £ 15,945 6,580 - |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10,416 | 22,525 766 21,951 |
|||
| 2,133 7,528 |
||||
| 9,661 | 22,717 | |||
| 755 - |
(192) | |||
| - | ||||
| 755 | (192 | |||
| 2,923 755 |
3,115 (192) |
|||
| 3,678 | 2,923 |
The notes on pages 11 to 20 form part of the financial statements.
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OPERA ON LOCATION
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
BALANCE SHEET as at 31 March 2023
| Note Current assets Stocks Debtors 9 Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 10 Net current assets Total net assets Charity funds Restricted funds 11 Unrestricted funds 11 Total funds |
2023 2023 £ £ 384 314 10,341 11,039 (1,111) 9,928 9,928 6,250 3,678 9,928 |
2022 £ 384 1,790 2,623 4,797 (1,874) |
2022 £ 2,923 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11,039 (1,111) |
|||
| 2,923 | |||
| - 2,923 |
|||
| 2,923 |
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Trustees on 22 January 2024.
Signed on behalf of the Board of Trustees by:
DAVID ALLEN Trustee
The notes on pages 11 to 20 form part of the financial statements.
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OPERA ON LOCATION
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 March 2023
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Charity information
Opera on Location is registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation in England and Wales. It was formed on 19 June 2020 and its charity number is 1190010. Its registered office address is 7 Victoria Park Road, Brimington, Chesterfield, S43 1QP.
Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) (Charities SORP 2019) and with the Charities Act 2011.
Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes.
The functional currency of the charity is considered to be pound sterling because that is the currency of the primary economic environment in which the charity operates.
The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.
Going concern
Having reviewed the financial position of Opera on Location, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue its activities for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, they adopt a going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.
Income
Income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity becomes entitled to the income, it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount can be measured reliably.
Grants are received for specific projects/costs and are recognised in accordance with their individual terms and conditions. Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, which is when any performance conditions attached are met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be reliably measured. Grant income will be deferred if received in advance of meeting performance conditions.
Donations represent amounts received in the year, including gift aid.
Expenditure
Expenditure comprises expenditure directly relating to the activities of the charity. Costs are either specifically identified or apportioned between expenditure headings for the purposes of charitable activities and costs of raising funds. All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis.
Charitable activities includes both direct costs and support costs relating to the activity.
Costs of raising funds are those costs incurred in attracting donations.
Allocation of support costs
Costs are directly attributable to specific activities.
Stocks
Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value.
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YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
OPERA ON LOCATION
Debtors
Short term debtors are initially measured at transaction price, less any impairment.
Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at bank and in hand includes cash in hand and deposits held with banks.
Creditors
Creditors are recognised where it is more likely than not that there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources and the amount of the obligation can be measured with reasonable certainty.
Fund accounting
Restricted funds comprise donations and grants earmarked by the donors, or the terms of the grant, for specific purposes and are detailed in the notes to the financial statements.
Unrestricted funds can be used at the discretion of the Trustees to further the charitable objectives.
Financial instruments
Opera on Location only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their amortised cost.
Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty
In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, Trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and underlying assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects current and future periods.
In the view of the Trustees, no assumptions concerning the future or estimation uncertainty affecting assets or liabilities at the balance sheet date are likely to result in a material adjustments to their carrying amounts in the next financial year.
Taxation
Opera on Location is a registered charity and as such is entitled to tax exemption on all its income and gains, properly applied for its charitable purposes.
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OPERA ON LOCATION
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
2. INCOME FROM DONATIONS AND GRANTS
| Individual donations Arts Council England Sheffield Town Trust Earl Fitzwilliam Charitable Trust The Golonscott Foundation Arnold Clark Community Fund Sheffield Bluecoat and Mount Pleasant Educational Foundation The Sarah Nulty Power of Music Foundation Individual donations Arts Council England grant |
Unrestricted funds 2023 £ 2,908 - 2,000 - - - - - 4,908 Unrestricted funds 2022 £ 946 - 946 |
Restricted funds 2023 £ - 23,652 3,000 2,000 1,000 750 750 500 31,652 Restricted funds 2022 £ - 14,999 14,999 |
Total funds 2023 £ 2,908 23,652 5,000 2,000 1,000 750 750 500 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36,560 | |||
| Total funds 2022 £ 946 14,999 |
|||
| 15,945 |
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OPERA ON LOCATION
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
3. INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
| Ticket sales Ticket sales Performance fees 4. INCOME FROM INVESTMENTS Bank interest |
Unrestricted funds 2023 £ 5,501 5,501 Unrestricted funds 2022 £ 5,205 1,375 6,580 Unrestricted funds 2023 £ 7 7 |
Restricted funds 2023 £ - - Restricted funds 2022 £ - - - Restricted funds 2023 £ - - |
Total funds 2023 £ 5,501 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5,501 | |||
| Total funds 2022 £ 5,205 1,375 |
|||
| 6,580 | |||
| Total funds 2023 £ 7 |
|||
| 7 |
There was investment income received during the year ended 31 March 2022.
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OPERA ON LOCATION
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
5. EXPENDITURE ON RAISING FUNDS
| Website and marketing costs Friends Scheme costs Fundraiser fees Independent examination fee Tax return fee |
Unrestricted funds 2023 £ 901 811 272 49 100 2,133 |
Restricted funds 2023 £ - - 978 176 - 1,154 |
Total funds 2023 £ 901 811 1,250 225 100 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3,287 |
This includes £1,033 (year ended 31 March 2022: £371) of support costs, including governance costs of £325 (2022: £nil).
| Website and marketing costs Friends Scheme costs |
Unrestricted funds 2022 £ 610 156 766 |
Restricted funds 2022 £ - - - |
Total funds 2022 £ 610 156 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 766 |
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OPERA ON LOCATION
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
6. EXPENDITURE ON CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
| Artists, performers and creative teams Production costs Website and marketing costs Insurance Ticket processing fees General expenditure |
Unrestricted funds 2023 £ 4,451 1,852 352 32 134 707 7,528 |
Restricted funds 2023 £ 16,023 6,667 845 114 - 599 24,248 |
Total funds 2023 £ 20,474 8,519 1,197 146 134 1,306 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31,776 |
General expenditure includes £602 (2022: £450) of support costs. No governance costs were incurred in the current year and previous period in respect of expenditure on charitable activities.
| Artists, performers and creative teams Production costs Website and marketing costs Insurance Ticket processing fees General expenditure |
Unrestricted funds 2022 £ 1,975 429 1,561 49 230 708 4,952 |
Restricted funds 2022 £ 9,780 7,219 - - - - 16,999 |
Total funds 2022 £ 11,755 7,648 1,561 49 230 708 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21,951 |
7. TRUSTEES’ REMUNERATION AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The trustees were not remunerated during the current year and previous period. 1 trustee (2022: 0) was reimbursed expenditure amounting to £7 (2022: £nil).
There were no further related party transactions during the current year.
In the prior year, a leaving gift, amounting to £35, was purchased as a small gift for a leaving trustee; the value of the gift was considered to be minimal, and the trustees agreed that such a purchase was in the charity’s best interest.
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YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
8. STAFF COSTS AND NUMBERS
No staff have been employed during the current year and previous period.
| 9. DEBTORS Due within one year Prepayments and accrued income 10. CREDITORS Due within one year Accruals and deferred income |
2023 £ 314 314 2023 £ 1,111 1,111 |
2022 £ 1,790 |
|---|---|---|
| 1,790 | ||
| 2022 £ 1,874 |
||
| 1,874 |
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YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
OPERA ON LOCATION
11. FUNDS
| Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Arts Council England _Verismo_production – The Golonscott Foundation _Verismo_production – Arnold Clark Community Fund Educational workshops – Sheffield Town Trust Educational workshops – Sheffield Bluecoat and Mount Pleasant Educational Foundation Educational workshops – The Sarah Nulty Power of Music Foundation 2023 Summer concert – Earl Fitzwilliam Charitable Trust 2023 Summer concert – Sheffield Town Trust Total of funds |
Balance at 1 April 2022 £ 2,923 - - - - - - - - - 2,923 |
Income £ 10,416 23,652 1,000 750 2,665 750 500 2,000 335 31,652 42,068 |
Expenditure £ (9,661) (23,652) (1,000) (750) - - - - - (25,402) (35,063) |
Transfers in/(out) £ - - - - - - - - - - - |
Balance at 31 March 2023 £ 3,678 - - - 2,665 750 500 2,000 335 6,250 9,928 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
11. FUNDS (CONTINUED)
| Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Arts Council England Sheffield Town Trust Total of funds |
Balance at 1 April 2021 £ 1,115 - 2,000 2,000 3,115 |
Income £ 7,526 14,999 - 14,999 22,525 |
Expenditure £ (5,718) (14,999) (2,000) (16,999) (22,717) |
Transfers in/(out) £ - - - - - |
Balance at 31 March 2022 £ 2,923 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - - |
||||||
| - | ||||||
| 2,923 |
Arts Council England
A grant was received during the year ended 31 March 2023 from Arts Council England to fund the Verismo production. During the year ended 31 March 2022, a grant was received from Arts Council England to fund the Prodigal Son production.
Verismo production
Monies were received from a number of organisations to fund the Verismo production.
Educational workshops
Monies were received from a number of organisations to fund educational workshops.
2023 Summer concert
Monies were received from a number of organisations to fund the 2023 Summer concert.
Sheffield Town Trust
A grant was received in the year ended 31 March 2022 from Sheffield Town Trust to be utilised for the Prodigal Son production.
12. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS
| Current assets Total Current assets Total |
Unrestricted funds 2022 £ 3,678 |
Restricted funds 2022 £ 6,250 |
Total funds 2022 £ 9,928 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3,678 | 6,250 | 9,928 | |
| Unrestricted funds 2022 £ 2,923 |
Restricted funds 2022 £ - |
Total funds 2022 £ 2,923 |
|
| 2,923 | - | 2,923 |
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YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
OPERA ON LOCATION
13. ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET DEBT
| Cash at bank and in hand Cash at bank and in hand |
At 1 April 2022 £ 2,623 |
Cash flows £ 7,718 |
At 31 March 2023 £ 10,341 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 191 | 2,432 | 2,623 | |
| At 1 April 2021 £ 191 |
Cash flows £ 2,432 |
At 31 March 2022 £ 2,623 |
|
| 191 | 2,432 | 2,623 |
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