2023-07-31-accounts

AYLESBURY OPERA

REGISTERED CHARITY NO. 1192416 TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS REPORTING PERIOD: 1 AUGUST 2022 – 31 JULY 2023

AYLESBURY OPERA Trustees’ Report and Accounts For The Year Ended 31 July 2023

CONTENTS

	Page
Trustees’ Annual Report	1
Accounts	4

TRUSTEES REPORT 2022-23

Trustees

Jennie Bruce Philip Hayes Gillian Liddell Neil Henderson Nick Heritage Eileen Robinson Fenella Vieceli

Legal Status

Aylesbury Opera is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (‘CIO’), charity number 1192416.

Aylesbury Opera became a CIO in November 2020, having previously been an unincorporated entity (with charity status from August 2015). The society was formed in 1979 and, until February 2016, was known as ‘Aylesbury Opera Group’.

Governing Document

The governing document is the ‘Aylesbury Opera Constitution’ (October 2021).

Objectives and Activities

The declared objects of the company are:

‘The advancement of the arts through the presentation of opera to the highest possible standard to the local community, and to advance the education of the public in opera and young performers in the early stages of their careers.’

Public Benefit

We have referred to the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing our aims and objectives and in planning our future activities.

Structure, governance and management

Under the charity’s constitution, at each AGM a third of elected trustees retire and are eligible for reelection up to a fixed number of three-year terms.

The trustees meet formally at least four times a year. There will also be informal meetings of smaller groups of trustees and managers to discuss specific issues as the need arises.

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TRUSTEES REPORT 2022-23

Operation

The company has no paid staff or premises. All other administrative work is carried out by the trustees, all volunteers. The trustees meet regularly to address the short- and medium-term activities of the group, which revolves around its ongoing programme of mounting live concerts and staged productions. The trustees work closely with the Musical Director and Stage Director, both professionals engaged in a freelance capacity, in delivering the group’s programme of public performances.

Activities in the year

Our 2022-23 programme comprised four public events.

We performed Rossini’s comic opera La Cenerentola at Holy Trinity, Bledlow on 15th October 2022. This was with a strong cast and chorus, accompanied by orchestra. We had a packed house, and the church was keen to have us back for a future performance.

Once again, we performed a lunchtime recital at St Mary’s Church, Aylesbury on 16[th] February 2023 as part of the Aylesbury Lunchtime Concerts series. The programme featured a quartet of singers accompanied by Harriet Lawson.

Our main production this year was a staging of Stravinsky’s opera The Rake’s Progress at the Court Theatre, Tring on 24th and 25th February 2023, led by Stage Director Louise Bakker and Musical Director Sam Laughton. This production was a huge challenge because of the complexity of the music. It was an expensive production to mount, with a large orchestra and a significant rise in other production costs.

Finally, we mounted an opera gala concert, A Night at the Opera , at St Mary’s Church, Aylesbury on 24[th] June 2023. This was a popular programme of opera highlights, featuring principals and chorus and accompanied by orchestra.

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Financial review

A loss of £7,440 arose during the year (2022 surplus of £6,441).

Unrestricted funds decreased from £11,669 at 1 August 2022 to £4,229 at 31 July 2022. All restricted funds received in the year were utilised in supporting the specific productions for which they were received .

Principal funding sources for year (see note 9) were grants received from Arts Council England, William Harding’s Charity and Aylesbury Vale Community Trust.

Reserves policy

The trustees aim to maintain the charity’s unrestricted reserves at a level equivalent to three months’ running costs.

Declaration

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees.

Philip Hayes ...................................................... Date ……………………………….

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Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 July 2023

Notes INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM: Donations and legacies 3 Charitable activities 4 Total EXPENDITURE ON: Charitable activities 5 1. Support and governance costs 6 Total NET INCOME TOTAL FUNDS BROUGHT FORWARD TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD	225 23,362 -7,440 11,669 4,229 Unrestricted Funds £ 8,020 7,902 15,922 23,137	- 8,350 - - - Restricted Funds £ 8,350 - 8,350 8,350	225 31,712 -7,440 11,669 4,229 Total funds 2023 £ 16,370 7,902 24,272 31,487	Total funds 2022 £ 25,170 7,487
				420 32,657 25,796
				26,216
				6,441 5,228
				11,669

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Balance Sheet as at 31 July 2023 Notes CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 7 Cash at bank CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year 8 NET CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES NET ASSETS FUNDS Unrestricted funds 9 Restricted funds TOTAL FUNDS	Unrestricted & total funds 2023 £ 1,172 3,651 4,823 594 4,229 4,229 4,229 4,229 - 4,229		Total funds 2022 £ 2,177 10,227 12,404 735
			11,669
			11,669
			11,669
			11,669 -
			11,669

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 20[th] September 2023 and were signed on its behalf by:

P Hayes

P Hayes P Hayes (Oct 20, 2023 09:23 GMT)

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Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 31 July 2023

1. GENERAL INFORMATION

Aylesbury Opera is a charitable incorporated organization (CIO) registered with the Charity Commission in England and Wales (charity number 1192416). The registered address is Pentewal, Shootacre Lane, Princes Risborough, HP27 9EH.

2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity’s constitution, the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) - (Charities SORP FRS 102) and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.

The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.

Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy or note.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

Going concern

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. The Trustees have reviewed and considered relevant information in making their assessment. Based on these assessments, the Trustees have concluded that they can continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the annual report and accounts.

Public benefit entity

The charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.

Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

For donations to be recognised the charity will have been notified of the amounts. If there are conditions attached to the donation and this requires a level of performance before entitlement can be obtained, then income is deferred until those conditions are fully met or the fulfilment of those conditions is within the control of the charity and it is probable that they will be fulfilled.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Charitable activities are support costs and costs relating to the governance of the company apportioned to charitable activities.

All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.

Employees

There were no employees during the period.

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Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities. The charity is not registered for VAT.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

Debtors

Short term debtors are measured at transaction price, less any impairment.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash is represented by cash in hand and deposits with financial institutions repayable without penalty on notice of not more than 24 hours. Cash equivalents are highly liquid investments that mature in no more than three months from the date of acquisition and that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash with insignificant risk of change in value.

Creditors

Short term creditors are measured at the transaction price.

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Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 July 2023

3 DONATIONS AND LEGACIES

Membership subscriptions Gift aid Theatre Tax Relief Grants	Unrestricted funds £ 2,770 775 2,850 1,625 8,020	Restricted funds £ - - - 8,350 8,350	Total 2023 £ 2,770 775 2,850 9,975 16,370	2022 £ 2,070 875 - 22,225
				25,170

4[INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES]

Ticket sales DVD sales Programme/merchandise sales Raffle ticket sales Workshops 5 CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS Production costs 6 SUPPORT AND GOVERNANCE COSTS	Unrestricted funds £ 23,137	Restricted funds £ 8,350		2023 £ 7,375 - 201 238 58 7,902 Total 2023 £ 31,487	2022 £ 5,949 225 492 577 244
					7,487 2022 £ 25,796

Accountancy	2023 £ 225	2022 £ 420

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Notes to the Financial Statements – Continued for the year ended 31 July 2023

7 DEBTORS Prepayments Other debtors 8 CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Accruals and deferred income 9 MOVEMENT IN FUNDS At 01/08/2022 £ Unrestricted funds General fund 11,669 Restricted funds Arts Council England - William Harding’s Charity - Bledlow-cum-Saunderton PC - - People’s Postcode Lottery Total funds -	7 DEBTORS Prepayments Other debtors 8 CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Accruals and deferred income 9 MOVEMENT IN FUNDS At 01/08/2022 £ Unrestricted funds General fund 11,669 Restricted funds Arts Council England - William Harding’s Charity - Bledlow-cum-Saunderton PC - - People’s Postcode Lottery Total funds -	Income £ 24,272 5,350 2,000 500 500 8,350	2023 £ 137 1,035 1,172 2023 £ 594 594 Expenditure £ 31,712 5,350 2,000 500 500 8,350	2022 £ 2,177 2,177
				2022 £ 735
				735 At 31/07/2023 £ 4,029 - - - -
Total funds				-

10 TRANSACTIONS WITH TRUSTEES

There were no transactions with trustees in the year (2022, none)

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