Charity Registration Number: 1192815
EXMOUTH YOUTH THEATRE
Annual Report and Financial Statments For The Year Ending 31 March 2025
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Exmouth Youth Theatre
Contents
Reference and Administrative Details:
Trustee Report
Structure, Governance and Management
Statement of Financial Activities
Balance Sheet
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EXMOUTH YOUTH THEATRE
Reference and Administrative Details
Trustees:
Mr AC Blundell (appointed 16/12/2020) Mr G Cornelius-Dodds (appointed 27/11/2024) Ms RE Geis (appointed 27/11/2024)
Mrs DJ Gover (appointed 27/11/2024) Mrs TA Hamilton (appointed 16/12/2020) Ms R Johnson (appointed 03/04/2023) Ms SJ Olmez (appointed 27/11/2024) Mrs TEL Pritchard (appointed 27/03/2023) Ms JM Reynolds (appointed 22/09/2023)
Resigned/not reappointed in-year: Ms RL Lapwood (03/04/2023-27/11/2024) Mr MC Hamilton (16/12/2020 – 31/12/2024)
Principal Office:
29 Cheriswood Avenue Exmouth Devon EX8 4HG
Charity Registration Number: 669197
Independant Examiner: Howard Atkins
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EXMOUTH YOUTH THEATRE
Trustees’ Report
The trustees, who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of 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).
Objectives and Activities
The object of the charity is the study and performance of the arts of music, drama and dance by young people and the encouragement of public appreciation of those arts.
The aims of the Exmouth Youth Theatre are to advance the education of children and young people in music and the performing arts and to promote, improve, develop and maintain public education and appreciation of music and the Performing Arts for children and young people residing in Exmouth and the district of Devon.
Our policy is one of encouraging diversity, inclusion and equality, including young people with additional needs. Unlike other groups, our young people are not auditioned prior to membership and are encouraged to learn and participate at whatever level is appropriate to their ability. However, a high level of self-discipline and motivation is expected.
Public Benefit
In planning our activities for our fourth year, the Trustees kept in mind the Charity Commission's Guidance on Public Benefit. We aim to create a culture of mutual support and an environment in which the children feel able to take creative risks and have any contribution valued. We also aim to develop confidence, teamwork, life skills and the innate talent of young people in the Exmouth and surrounding areas of Devon, producing opportunities for children of mixed age and abilities to learn skills in theatre dance and drama.
Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts.
Exmouth Youth Theatre is a friendly and accessible mixed ability drama group for young people residing in Exmouth and the environs. Activities include acting, singing, devising drama games and exercises. We believe all young people should have the opportunity to experience, create and perform in high quality drama and musical theatre.
Exmouth Youth Theatre seeks to equip young people of all ages with theatre skills in a structured and highly motivated environment. Classes are initially improvisational in nature, graduating into textual and formal voice and movement work.
In FY 2024/2025 we continued to offer weekly rehearsals which resulted in stage productions in Exmouth and Budleigh Salterton as well as performing in local community events.
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Objectives for the Year
The objectives for the year 2024-2025 were to consolidate the existing work of the Exmouth Youth Theatre group and to explore new avenues in fulfilment of the aims of the organisation, specifically:
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To continue building a strong financial footing
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To continue using Exmouth Pavilion as the main performance base whilst exploring other local venues for some productions
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To maintain the level of EYT and Rising Stars memberships
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To build on the success of the first Rising Stars production by offering further Rising Stars productions and increasing the number of EYT productions
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Recruitment of additional trustees
Achievements and Performance
We continued with twice weekly sessions for EYT group, increasing to three rehearsal sessions a week in the run up to show each show week. The Rising Stars continued to rehearse once a week and sessions are run with the help of a number of EYT members who are volunteering their time as part of the Duke of Edinburgh award and the Exmouth Community College enrichment programme. Not only do the older members gain valuable volunteering experience, the Rising Stars work with the older performers who model what the younger members can expect as they progress through to the organisation. Both groups continue to have waiting lists at various times of the year and we have maintained the membership of around 70 young people overall.
EYT performed three shows in this financial year, two at the Exmouth Pavilion and one at Exmouth Community College: Chicago in June 2024, Grease in November the same year and Six in February 2025. Chicago was nominated for two NODA (National Operatic and Dramatic Association) SW Awards for Best Youth Production and Company Characterisation. The NODA show report enthused “This production was exceptional in so many areas… at times I forgot I was watching a youth group. The NODA show report for Grease stated “the company numbers were impressive at all times… a vibrant, amusing and memorable performance which had people on their feet and singing as they left the auditorium.” The NODA show report for Six described the production as “dynamic, energetic, and executed with precision, keeping the audience captivated from start to finish. Every element worked in perfect harmony, bringing the story to life in a vibrant and captivating way.”
The Rising Stars performed a Musical Mash Up at the Budleigh Salterton Public Hall in July 2024 performing two sold out shows of favourite numbers from family favourites such as Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Wizard of Oz, amongst others. They repeated the success with Christmas at the Musicals in December 2024, again sold out and getting audiences in the mood for the festive season.
Following on from the success of previous years, the group was invited back to several community events including the Exmouth Festival in July 2024 and the Winter Festival in November.
Financially we made a small loss across the year but having staged five productions, this could be seen as an achievement given the financial climate of rising production costs coupled with the cost of living squeeze on audience budgets. We are grateful for all the support provided by the local community from the town council to individual donors and advertisers paying for space in our programmes. We could not meet our objectives and provide such opportunities to perform without these contributions.
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Structure, Governance and Management
Exmouth Youth Theatre is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) registered as a charity with the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
The CIO is managed by a Board of Trustees, each being appointed for an initial period of 3 years.
The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with the United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) and applicable law and regulations.
The law applicable to charities 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 judgements 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 proper accounting that 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 applicable Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations, and the provisions of the constitution. The trustees 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.
During FY 24/25, two trustees stood down (Ms R Lapwood and Mr M Hamilton) and four new trustees were voted onto the board (Mr G Cornelius-Dodds, Ms RE Geis, Mrs DJ Gover and Ms SJ Olmez. G Cornelius -Dodds took over the role of secretary from R Lapwood and R Geis took over the vacant role of chair.
The board of trustees voted to make two significant changes in this FY; the upper age limit for membership was increased to 19 years old following feedback from older members of the group. From January 2025, membership costs increased for both Rising Stars and EYT. This was the first increase since the inception of the organisation and reflects increasing running costs and particularly the cost of mounting our productions. A show fee was also successfully trialled and will be introduced for future productions.
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature: J Reynolds
Position: Treasurer Date: 23/03/2026
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Financial Review
The charity has made a loss in this FY with a net income of (£5,215.94) and a balance of 10,147.56. It is worth noting that this is against a backdrop of income and expenditure almost doubling on the previous FY due to the increased numbers of productions. Cash flow was problematic at one point in the year but trustees made the financial decisions above to steady the ship and rebuild after losses on one of the productions. The organisation has remained buoyant and able to continue with its objectives but it is a difficult balancing act as these reserves do not cover the production costs for a single year at the current expenditure rate. It continues to be imperative that productions pay for themselves or, ideally, make a profit but that is not a guarantee. The trustees continue therefore to seek alternative sources of funding to ensure financial stability moving forwards.
Exmouth Youth Theatre Profit & Loss Statement for year ending 31 March 2025
| Income | £ |
|---|---|
| Donations |
1,109.43 |
| Grants |
2,356.35 |
| Membership |
21,101.00 |
| Production Income |
50,539.39 |
| Other income |
886.65 |
| Bank account interest |
57.62 |
| TOTAL |
76,050.44 |
| Expenditure | |
| Insurance |
152.65 |
| Hall Hire |
3,299.23 |
| Session/Rehearsal Fees |
19,876.00 |
| Production Expenditure |
53,841.54 |
| Future Production Expenses incurred in this year |
672.00 |
| DBS checks |
180.00 |
| Storage |
2,053.30 |
| Other |
1,191.66 |
| TOTAL |
81,266.38 |
| Net Profit/Loss |
(5,215.94) |
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| Bank Balances as of 31st March 2025 Current Account Savings Account Float held by Treasurer Total Cash at bank and in hand as of 31 March 2025 |
£ 1,057.96 8,989.60 100.00 |
|---|---|
| 10,147.56 |
Exmouth Youth Theatre Year – Balance Sheet at 31 March 2025
| £ | |
|---|---|
| Bank balance as at 1st April 2024 |
15,363.50 |
| Bank balance as at 31st March 2025 |
10,147.56 |
| Overall Income |
76,050.44 |
| Overall Expenditure |
81,266.38 |
| Net income FY24-25 |
(5,215.94) |
| Assets: | |
| Total cash as at 31st March 2025 |
10,147.56 |
| Costumes |
1,000.00 |
| Liabilities |
- |
| Reserves |
11,147.50 |
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Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report
Report to the trustees Charity Name EXMOUTH YOUTH THEATRE On accounts for the year 31 MARCH 2025 Charity no 1192815 ended (if any) Set out on pages 1-7 (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets) I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31/03/2025. Responsibilities and As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the basis of report accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
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the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
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the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
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the accounts did 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: Name: Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: |
09/04/2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Howard Atkins | ||
| FCA | ||
| 251 High Street, Rickmansworth WS3 1BQ |
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Section B Disclosure
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).
Give here brief details of any items that the There were none. examiner wishes to disclose .
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