LEWES LITTLE THEATRE
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – SATURDAY 25[TH] OCTOBER 2025 at 10.30am
BOARD REPORT
| Last appointed | Term Expires | 6 year rule | Atendance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Spinks | October 2021 | 2024 | 2027 | 8 |
| Darren Heather | October 2023 | 2026 | 2029 | 5 |
| Chloe Holland | October 2022 | 2025 | Retring 2025 | 6 |
| Tony Poter | October 2022 | 2025 | 2028 | 7 |
| David Rankin | October 2024 | 2027 | 2030 | 3 |
| Bob Hamilton | October 2024 | 2027 | 2030 | 8 |
1. Governance and Management
The Board of Trustees have met on eight occasions since the last AGM, with Chris Spinks as Chairman, including some joint meetings with the Executive Committee.
The day to day management of the theatre is delegated to the Executive Committee (EC), with Chris Spinks as Chair. The other members are Chloe Holland, Shaun Hughes, David Rankin, Chris Pugh and Darren Heather. The EC meets fortnightly and are directly accountable to the Board, by whom they are appointed.
Shaun Hughes is continuing as Artistic Director and Bob Leeds as Treasurer of the Theatre. The Premises Manager is David Rankin. Tony Bannister has stepped down as co-opted Secretary. Bryony Spinks has agreed to step in as acting minutes Secretary for the time being and we are looking for a new Secretary.
2. Appointment of Trustees
Chloe Holland has served a 3 year term of office as a trustee, and is also on the Executive Committee. Chloe is stepping down as a Trustee but is continuing on the Executive Committee. However, Chloe will still be available to give the Board advice as and when required. The Board is very grateful to Chloe for the time and effort she has put into Board matters and for all her help in running Front of House.
Tony Potter is reaching the end of his first three year term of office and the Board recommend his reappointment for a second three year term.
Our constitution stipulates that the Charity must have a Board of no fewer than four and no more than eight trustees and we feel that the optimum number at the moment is six. With Chloe Holland stepping down, we now have a vacancy and the Board recommend the appointment of Kirstine Bowen as a new Trustee:-
Kirstne Bowen – has been involved in the Theatre’s wardrobe department for many years, creating many of the great costumes that enhance our productions. Kirstine is keen to be involved in the future development of the Theatre. In her previous life she has been a social worker and school governor. Kirstine will commence her first 3 year term as a Trustee as from this AGM.
3. Maintenance of the Building
D.F. Tourle Ltd. completed the structural safety work to the inner auditorium roof towards the end of October 2024 which meant that we could not produce a stage play as normal. However the Foyer productions were successful. We still have a £50,000 interest free loan by three guarantors, repayable over a 5 year period.
The building is aging and we have additional flat roofs coming to the end of their life. We also have external doors that need replacing, plus back stage carpets which are beginning to become a safety hazard, so they will need to be replaced too. However, we are hoping to replace these carpets with carpets from the Props store. The Props store ceiling has been upgraded and fire proofed this summer.
There is also general maintenance to be carried out on the building. The required legal safety checks on the fire extinguishers and fire alarms etc. have been completed. The Board has also recognised that the Auditorium carpet will soon need replacing. For safety reasons and to keep within the law, we have had to install a safety rail to the balcony.
4. Financial Position
We are looking at various ways to raise additional funds. We have let out the theatre twice and part of the car park is rented out to the Police for their use during the day. The car park was rented out to a wedding party on one Saturday.
Unsurprisingly, considering the large cost of the work done to the gallery roof (almost £90,000) there was a significant loss this year. This was mitigated by the £50,000 of loans we secured, but the full effect can be seen by looking at the change in assets. A further contributor was the final writing off of “Fixtures and Fittings”, which added an extra £14,500 or so to the loss: future accounts will reflect the real position. It is clear that we need to have several good, positive years in order to (a) clear the loans and (b) put ourselves into a stronger financial position.
If any theatre members know where we could apply for grants and is able to source them, please speak to one of the Trustees after the meeting or send us details using the theatre email address - leweslitletheatre@gmail.com with your name and contact details, so that we can discuss how you can help us access these grants.
5. Volunteers
The Board of Trustees would like to thank all the volunteers who are involved in the running of the theatre. Without you the theatre would not run. We are in desperate need of additional volunteers to help in all areas of the theatre and especially in Front of House. If you would like to get involved please speak to one of the Board members after the AGM or email us at leweslitletheatre@gmail.com
6. Inclusion and Accessibility
We have/are in the midst of adjusting some of the auditorium seats to enable easier access for wheelchair users. We are also looking at additional accessibility for the Foyer area.
Chris Spinks
On behalf of the Board of Trustees
LEWES LITTLE THEATRE BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 JULY 2025 2024-5 20234 Fixed AB8ets Froehokl property- Sile Value Fixtur8s and fittings Less depreciation for year £2.1(K).000 £14,450 -£14,450 £28.901 -£14,451 £0 £14.45Q Curr•nt A¥8¢ts Bank current accounts Bank deposit account5 Hampshire Trusl Bank MonrnouthShi BS Cash £1.728 £590 £24.502 £48.160 £157 £1,305 £3,364 £23,501 £59.552 £157 Total ta5h and banked funds £75,137 £87.879 8ar sicKk £860 £782 Total eurrent 85sets £75.997 £88.667 Lè#¥ Curr*nt Llabllltles Sundry creditors (Audrt Feel Loan5 £600 £50.000 £600 £50,600 £6) Net current asyets £25,397 £88,061 TOTAL ASSETS £2.12S.397 £2,202,511 REPRESENTED 8Y Accumulated funds bmught forward Chang8 to creditors Increaselldecreasel In b8r stoc1( Frorn income and expenditura £2.202.511 -£50.000 £78 -£27. 192 £2.209.749 £0 -£3 -£7.235 £2.125,397 £2,202.511 APPROVED". (Hon Tr885urerl
LEWES LITTLE THEATRE INCOME FOR THE PERIOD ENDING 31 JULY 2026 2024-S 20234 Productlon Ineom• Bar saS Foyer refreshments income Progr8mrne sales Seat sales £12,755 £1,051 £1.527 £49.988 £11.926 £1.775 £7.738 £55. 758 Total Produetlon Income £65,321 £70.597 Non-Production Income Car park rgntal Grants Incomo tax refund (Gift Aid) Interest incor Legacwas Loan5 Miscellaneous recoipts Sub5CriPtions & donations Theatre hi £395 £0 £2.034 £2.122 £10.000 £50 000 £49 £13,660 £250 £225 £5,000 £0 £2,Q69 £500 £75,168 £350 Totsl Non.Productlon Ineom• £78,510 £23.312 TOTAL INCOME £143.831 £93.909
LEWES LITTLE THEATRE EXPENDITURE FOR THE PERIOD ENOING 31 JULY 2025 2024-5 202&4 Produ¢tlon èxponditur• Backstage refreshment Bar expendrtu Bar purchases Costumes & wigs Foyer event5 expenditure Foyer refreshments èxpenditu Hall hire LInceS Lighting & sound Phoiograptts pr(rammeS Props & fumiture Publicity Scripts Set exndItUre £259 £169 £5,525 £679 £150 £327 £538 £7.403 £100 £137 £1.010 £342 £8,350 £316 £3,697 £207 £24Q £5,802 £518 £97 £570 £4,457 £11.683 £700 £1.595 £1,375 £8,Q46 £771 £4,227 Totsl productlon exponilStur• £29,002 £39,628 Non-Production expenditure AssibIlity Audrt fee Depreciation Eleciricity S gas Equipment Health and Safety Insurance Legal fees Little Th8alre Guild Maintenan Miscellaneou Newsletter Postage Rates, water & rèluse Sofiw3re Stationery and printing Telephone Theatre management Upkeep of premises £0 £600 £14,450 £9.840 £20 £409 £4,805 £775 £105 £3.598 £142 £1.640 £713 £1,460 £911 £171 £992 £6.13S £95.255 £4,634 £600 £14.451 £9,523 £506 £1,239 £4,175 £0 £105 £5.502 £180 £1.785 £1, 153 £1.534 £1,209 £178 £913 £6.9( £6,929 Total Non-Produ¢tlon expendlturè £142.021 £61,516 TOTAL EXPENDITURE £171,023 £101.144 CHANGE IN ACCUMULATED FUNDS 27.192 .£7,235
Lewes Little Theatre Accounts for the year ended 31st July 2025 EXAMINER'S REPORT I have examined the Balance Sheet as at 31st July 2025 together with the attached Income and Expenditure Account for the year ended on that date, and hereby certify that they have been correctly prepared in accordance with the books, records, vouchers and explanations furnished to me by the Hon Treasurer. Signed Date Lc>6