BUCKS CUITURE TNstees AnThl Report and Annual Accounts for the Yew 2024-25
Bucklnghamshire Culture Trustees Report for the Year Ended 5 April 2025 Reference and Adrnlnlstratlve Detalls Trustees: W Morris. Co-chair {re5igned 1310212025) J Weinber& Ctrchair R Barker [nominated by Buckinghathshire CourKil] S Ma9)n Inomlnated by Discover Bucks Museum] N Braisby Inominated by Buckinghamshire New Universityl Ireslgned 13102120251 G Foreman L Weale (resigned 24104120251 V Hope-walker l Akigwe S Imbriano H Williarns C Martin L Ryan {apwinted 1810412024) R Lehmann lappolnted 17103n024) Registered charity number: 1196317 Principal office- El:14. Buckingham5hire New Universty Queen exaftdra Road High Wycombe Buckingham5hire HPII 2JZ Accountants: Another Answer Books & Accountants l# Floor. Boume House Cores End Road Bourne End Buckinghamshire SL8 SAR
Objectives and Activitles
Policles and Objectives
The object of the Charitsble Incorporated Or8ani5ation {CIO) is to promote, improve. develop and maintsin
public education and appreciation of the arts and culture acr055 the County of BuckinEhamshire for the public
benefit by providing leadership, strategic planning and support to the cukural sertor.
In order to fulfil the purpose of the CIO as OLrtlined above. Buckinghamshire Culture vmrks to nourish and build
arts herltsge and culture in the munty. guided by the four main thernes of the Buckinghamshire Cultural
Strategy..
Outcome one.. A thrNlng economy and transformed places
Outcome two.. Equality of access to culturdl activities and opp)rtunities
Outcorne three: Improved health arrfl wellbeing of the population
Outcome four- Energi5ed creative and tultural sector.
Our work over the past year has priorTtised actiwty in support of outcomes t0 and four but has touched on all
four of these outcomes. A brief overview of our work under each objective is shared below:
Transformed Places
Research and development of a new strand of work to highlight, celebrate and promote our eatIve industries
as well as empowering Eraduate-level talent to undertake local creatrve careers is ongoing with pilot artivity
due to take place 2025-26. Ongoing advocacy and partnership development continued in respect of- cultural
placemaking with regeneration project teams across 8uck5, cultural projects and impacts for communities.
animation of high streets. Strategic support for place-ba5ed initiatives and funding applications In High
Wycombe resulting in successful consortium bid for Arts Council England Place Partnership stheme investment
(matched by Rothschild Foundation and 8uckinghamshire Council). This three*ear project aim5 to delrver a
step
Ener ised Creative and Cultural Sector Regular networking events for the sector and for artists/creative5 have taken pla this year. addressing a range of topics including climate change. fundraisin& creative responses. We delivered our second Conference, focussed on Creative Collaboration in November 2024 at Garsington Studios attractin8 Ify) dele8ates. The Conference inrluded our inaugural Cultural Awards scheme to shine the light on the great creative work that is taking place in the sector and to lId a greater sense of community. 2025 began with Creative Cultural Conversation to assess areas most in need of attention and in response we are tailoring sector support to four areas- digital, dimate change. audience development and access and inclusion. We continue to work with The Audience Agency to enable cultural partners to better analyse audiencelvisitor data to assist with future planning and Strategic decision making and developed I plan to roll out consistent surveys across 13 cultural orBani5ation5 in BkS in 2025-26 to gather a yearfs worth of audience data. In addition to the artivities outlined above. the team has carried out a great deal of connertion. a¢fvice. partnership development and relationship buildin& all with the aim of supporting our sertor partners and practitioners and developing future programmes, collaboratvJn arml securing funding for delivery. The Trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit. Achlevements and Perfomian¢e Main Achlevements of the Charlty Bucks Culture Continues to have a positrve impart on the cuttural sertor. which is demonstrated by the attendance at networking events, the Conferen and participation in our projects. We regularly meet wrth artists. creatives and organisations both to offer support and advice. as well as to better understsnd the challenges facing the settor. Our programme of networking and sector support is designed in response to this feedback ensuring that we are responding to the needs our partner5 are facing. Representatives of cultural organisations and creatives in Bucks pOrt being better connerted and supported since we began our work. Our 2024 Creative Collaboration conferen took place in November and saw I[ delegates in attendance and taking part in networkin& discussion and workshops. Speaker5 included.. ndSeY Pugh of Revoluton Arts. Dr Alexandra Antonopoulou. Tamsin Ace of East Bank, Layla Conway of London Legacies Development Corporation. artist from Steel [jr Studios, Sarah Ne150n of Foundation for Future London. Daniel Williams of Buckinghamshlre Archives. Nicola Creed and Karen Gillingham of Garsington Opera and Lallie Davis. Ursula White, Bill Morris and Julius Weinberg frorn Bucks Culture. Our inaugural Bucks Spark Awards ended the Conference with three fantastic or8anisations celebrated with awards for'8est Eveny. 'Best Exhibition. and 'Best Collaboration. and three runners up in each category. Delivery of Storfes Season I was a large and successfvl piece of work for us during 2024. External funding enabled us to deliver a multi-stranded projett that commissioned profe55ional and high-quality artists and authors Including Theo Clinkard. Nikki and JD. Ellen Renton. Claire Fuller and Will Burns to work in Bucks with local communities. The three strand5 were: l. Fireside Stories- this strand brought circus and theatre art15ts Nikki & JD and L05t Dog to three varied Buckinghamshlre Locations. Accompanyin8 Fireside were writing workshop5 in schools, storyteller seasonal and outdoor artNlties with our partner organisations. 2. Archive Stories: which saw spoken word artist Ellen Renton and ft>ur disabled arti5t5 investigate the National Paralympic Heritage Trust archive and the National Disability Art Collertion & Archive to inspire the creation of new artworks.
- Village Stories- brought together choreographer Theo Clinkard. photographer Camilla Greenwell and a number of writer5 Wlth three local communities in different parts of our county to create new stories ond a mass-phot05hoot of todavs village life. published as a book. Two additional freelance roles were Liken on to support thi5 delivery. an A59)ciate Creative and an Engagement Producer- these were key roles for the success of the project. Storie5 Season I received a great deal of posltive feedback from participants. audience members and artists, for example: "It was wonderfvl t0 5tt side by slde with other people and enjoy our woodlands in an unusual way and share in the exciternent of the show." attendee to Fireside. his brought a Sense of belongin& community spirit, pride in our village" partiopant in Village °People found the exhibition thought-provoking arKI that tRey were prompted to question language and perceptions of disabled and non-disabled people- Don't Dis My Ability Evaluation Report. 2024 "I now appreciate more cleady how cultural events can strengthen all those who participate" participant in 8urnharn Village photo event. "It came together beautifull. °One of my most favowite things l ever did." Theo Clinkard and Camilla Greenwell Open Weekend {which we created. and curate) continues to be an estsblished part of the cultural calendar in Buckinghamshire. It benefrts organi5ations. artists and creatives. raising their profile. as well as pr¢)viding Ereater access to cultural activity for k)cal residents. Over the past year we have collaborated with Buckinghamshire Council and creative and cuUr31 organisations and representatives in High Wycombe to form an application to Arts Council's Place Partnership scheme. This successful application has secured significant cultural investment for High Wycombe with the aim of dellvering a step change in cultural provision in the town. Since January 2025 and the beginning of our new core-funding period. we have been reviewing our attivities and consolidating and streamlining where possible. This has allowed greater clarity in tem15 of our offer and how that is communicated. Flnancial Review Flnanclal Position The Trustees are confident that the Charity remains a going cOnrn and that all current commitments can be met. They recognise that the funding environment 15 challenging and are extremely grateful to those who have supported and continue to support the work of Buckin8hamshire Culture. Reserves Pollcy The charity may hold serveS for a variety of asOns. including but not limited to: Income exceeding expenditure Spending timescales are delayed or uncertain Funding is restricted & requires separate accounting Requirement of external body Ensuring up to 6 months. operation of the charity if required. Reseryes may be Unrestricted or Restricted. Where a reserée is Restricted. detaib will be available in respect The purpose of the re5erwe
The derlvation of the funding The intended use of the reserve. The current level of free reserves 15: £126,641 {comparative £84,556) Fifianclal Results For this accounting period the charity received an income of £267.C(19 (comparative £144,416) and had an expenditure of £223,667 (comparative £142.5431. The surplu5 for the year was £146,866 (comparative £103,524>. Funding for the core business has tome from Rothschild Foundation Strategic Grant with additional funding from Buckinghamshire Council. 8uckingham5hire New University has supplied in kind support through provision of office space, facilitie5 and stsff support. Funding for specific projects has been secured from Arts Council England (Storiesl. Burnham Foundation Istoriesl, Buckinghamshire Council Community Boards (Stories), Buckinghamshire Countil (Stories and Open Weekend). The charity believes that future core and project funding will be SeCud in order to deliver activities in support of the Butkinghamshire Cultural Strategy and Action Plan. Prln¢lpal Rlsks Loss of funding frorn Rothschild Foundation and Buckingharnshire Council who provide the core funding for the tharity. Loss of Director who holds a lot of organisational knowledge and key relationship5. and as a small organisatlon. the posltion 15 key in rts operations. Structure, Governance and Management Consthutlon Buckinghamshire Culture is a Charitable Incorporated Or8anisation. charity number 1196317. governed by a CIO Constitutlon. Methods of Appolntment or Elertlon olTrustees Apart from the first charity Trustees. every appointed Trustee must be appointed for a term of three years by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity Trustees. In selerting individuals for appointment as appointed charity Trustees. the charity Trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge ènd experience needed for the effective administration of the CIO. Each appolnting body listed below may norninate one charity Trustee: i. Buckinghamshire Council ii. Bucklnghamshire Local Enterprise Partnership Buckingham5hire New University Iv. Bucks County Museum Trust / Discover Bucks Museum las long as it hold5 Arts Council England National Portfolio status) Any nornination must be fflade at a meeting held according to the ordinary prartice of the appointing body. The charity Trustees have the right to veto the nomination if the individual is not deemed appropriate to join the charlty. Each appointment must be for a temi of 3 years. The person appointed will cease to be a Trustee if their as50ciation to the appointing body ends. A Trustee appointed by the appointing body has the same duty under the other charty Trustees to act in the way he or she decides in good faith would be most likely to further the purposes of the CIO.
Plans for Future Perlod5 In order to deliver the Bucknnghamshire Cultural Strategy over the next period. the charity is strengthening elements of our work that have been tested and proved to work and is developing new actlvity in priority areas, this includes.. Research and development: STORIES- we will refiect on 2024 dellvery and explore opwrtunities and models that could enable Stories Sea50n 2 delivery 2026 onwards. Made in 8ucks- we will further explore and develop a stand of activity that highli8hts. celebrates and promotes our Creative Industries and ernpowers graduate-kvel talent to undertake local creative careers Creative Health- we will support the Creative Health agenda avKI work with partners to explore opportunities for funding that tan unlock meaningful delivery We will explore opportun1t5 to secure partnership funding that enables sector partner5 to benefit from strategic initiatives. Sector Resilience: Developing our partnership strutture and Annual Programme of Networking, Inspiration and Training to ensure that we are meeting the needs of different groups and networks at drfferent levels and with different interests. Open Weekend - we wlll continue to convene and co-ordinate Open Weekend as a celebration of creativity and culture in Bucks Access and Inclusion Manifesto- we will fvrther develop the messages and ethos of the Together we Build Access & In¢lusion Manifesto into a clear and actionable Framework beginning with an event in October 2025 to reignite passion and launch a call to artion Creative Catalyst- we will design and pilot a CreatFve cataSt prograrnme for cre3tr¥e/cultural leaders that aim5 to build greater knowledge and confldence amongst existing and emerging creatNe leaders in Bucks through mentoring Audience Research- working with The Audience Agenry to build a greater understanding of Bucks cultural audiences through survey delivery in cultural venues High Wycombe Place Partnefship Project- taking a pro-attNe strategic role in shaping and delivering the Place Partnership proiert and underpinning delivery by hosting two paid roles to enable successful delivery Local Cultural Plans- We will work with stakeholders in Bucks towns to develop local Cultural plans- mapping existing offer and looking at 8apslchallenges and solutions. Advocacv: conferen and Awards-we will mark our Conference off-year with a momentum building event while developing the 2026 Conference progfarnme Stakeholder Engagement- we will continue to strengthen strategic relationships for Bucks Culture Sharing Impad- we will collaboratively share and Celebrate the work of partners and highlight the value of culture through reports. events and dats circulation.
Report Apprwal Approved by order of the members of the Board of TTUStees on: 2610112026 J Welnberg Ctrchalr
Buckinghamshire Culture Independent Examiner5 Report to the Trustees For the Period to 31" Marth 2025 I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charlty for the Period ended 31 March 204 which are set out on pages 7 to 17. Respectlve responsibllltles of trustees and examiner As the charItS trustees of Buckin8ham Culture. you are SpOn1ble for the preparatron of the accounts in accordance with the requirement5 Qf the Charities Art 20111.the ACYI. I report in respect of my examination of Buckinghamshire Culture's Accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable DirertioDs given by the Chartty Commission under sertion 14515llbl of the ACL Independerrt examlnerfs statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attenth)n in connertion with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respert: l. Accounting records were not kept in respect of 8uckingham Culture as required by section 130 of the Act: 2. The accounts do not accord with those records- or 3. The accounts do not cornp with the accounting requirements conceming the fom and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2C#)8 other than any requirement that the accounts give'true and fair viev/ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have concerns and have come across noother matters in connertion withthe examination to which attention should be drawn In this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Sylvia Bourhlll FMAAT Another Answer Ltd l Floor, Bourne House Cores End Road Bourne End Bucks SL8 SAR 15 January 2025
Buckinghamshlre Culture Balance Sheet As at 3111 Mar¢h 2025 31 March 2024 Tan8ible assets Stod¢ Debtor5 143 144 Cash at bk and In hand 163S28 167.618 163MI 167.762 CMdR•rn". aMnts1lIE due w1th1nieYear 164.2371 3,$2S Funth Unrestrkttd fur41s 126.641 84.557 DeSIated Funds 14 Restrfrted lund5 20225 18.968 16 IOU25 The dlrertors have tsken advants8e of the spedal wtrltslons of Part 15 ofthe Companies Act 2006 relatln8 to small companles In the preparatlon of the accounts. Approved by the board OftrnSt on ',/., Igoz and sId on its behaw by
Buckinghamshire Culture Statement of Cash Flows For the Perlod Ended 31 Mar¢h 2025 2023-2024 Operatlng A<tlvltles Receipts from tustome Payments to suppliets and empknes 267,1))9 144.416 1147.3851 12.9691 {224.3921 41617 Invest1 Actl¥lties Other cash ftems from investing actNits Cash Flowsfrom1ty4stir¥ Adtréltles 1261 1261 FlnanclngActhitles Other cash ttems from financing artN4ts Net Howsfrom Fnandry Actmt 146,7071 146.7071 8.847 8.847 Net Cash Hty•s 14,0901 5,852 Cash and Cash Eqwi¥alents Cash Cash equfvalents at tginnin8 of per)d Net change in cash foy period Cash and (ash ewlv¥lents •t•ndd pttknd 167,618 161.766 I4,1) 5.582 167.618 io
Buckinghamshire Culture Notes to the Financial Statements For the Perlod Ended 31° March 2025 l. At¢ountlng polldes ststementofcompliar The financial statements have been prepared in accordan with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Prartice applicable to charities preparing their account5 in accordance with the Financial Reporting Stsndard applicable in the UK and Republic of Weland IFRS 1021 leffective l January 20191- ICharitiesSORP IFRS 10211. the Financial Reporting Stsndard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021 andthe CharitiesAct 2011. Bass of preparation Buckinghamshire Culture meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilitie5 are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevantaccounting policy notes. Going COrern Thetrusteesconsiderthatthere are material UnrtaIntIeSabQutthecharity'sabl1Ity to continue as a going tontern. Income Voluntsry Income induding donations. gifts. legacies and grants that provide core funding or are of a general nature is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the intome will be reived. and the amount on be measured wth Sufficient reliabiltty. Grant income Is re¢ognised on a recelvable basis. Vthere grant income specifies use over a time perlod in which the expendItU of resources wlll take place, grants received in advanced¢05ts incurred arè reco8nised as deferred income. Donations and legacies are rewised on a receivab basis when receipt is probable and the amount can be reliably measured. Income tax recoverable in relation to donation5 received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the timeof the donation. Expenditure All expenditure is recognised On there is a legal or construttNe obligation to that expenditure, tt Is probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs are all¢xated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate similar costs to that category. Charitable artivities Charitsble expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of it5 artivities and services for its beneficiaries. It include5 both costs that can be allocated directly to such activitie5 and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them. Debtors Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement arnount after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due. li
Buckinghamshire Culture Notes to the Financial Statements For the Perlod Ended 31° March 2025 Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and tall deposits, and other short-terrn highly liquid investments that are readity convertible to a known amount of cash and are subjert to an insignificant risk of change in value. Creditors and Provisions Liabilities are recognised when there Is an obligation at the Balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probablethata transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement. andtheamountof the5ettlement can be estimated reliably. Liabilities are retognised at the amountthatthe charity anticipate5 it will pay to settle the debtorthe amount it has received asadvanced paymentsforthe goods or services it must provide. Fund structure Unrestricted income fundsaregeneral fundsthatare availableforuse atthetrustees, discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity. Financial Instruments The charity only hasfinancial assets and financial liabilitiesof a kind that qualtfy as basic financial instrument5. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at thelr settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortlsed cost Using the effecti¥e Interest method. VAT The charity is not re8iStered for Vat and accordingly expenditure indudes VAT where appropriate Fund Accounting The fund5 held by the charity are efther: Unrestricted generolfvnds- these are lund5 WtKh can be used in accordan wlth the charitable objects at the discretion of the trustee5. Designotedfvnd5- these are funds set aside by the trustees out of unrestritted general funds for specific fvture purposes or wojects. Restrirtedfvnds-these arehJnd5 that can only be used for partlcular restritted purposeswlthin the objects of the charity. Restrirtions arise when specified bythe dwr or when fvnds are raised for particular $trIcted purposes. 12
l. Income from donatlons and legacles 2023.2024 Oonations from Indmduals t)onations from maior donows legacies Total 3. Income from charitable adi¥its Tot•1 102$2025 2023-2024 Grant Applkath)ns Otherfvndratsingactivli Total 19).181 65288 255.469 144.116 191.181 72.288 263.469 144.116 4. OlherTr•dh¥A¢th4 Tot1 2022025 2023-202 rKket Sales 2.430 i.iio 1430 I,iio Other rnerchandi5e Totsl 3t 13
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- Staff Numbers and Costs 20Z3-2024 Staff costs.. WaKe5 and salarfes Sotial security ¢osts Empbyercontribuknons to the defined contrib1rtknn1pEr xhemes ,179 53,160 183J L147 30326 55.461 The overoge number of employees during the year wos osfvllow5.' 2023-2024 Number Rag fu$ Charitable ACtitIeS Governan Therè wère no employees th employee beneffts exdudin8 employer pension costs above £60,(M)O. KeyMonogementPersonn The total employee benefits of the key management personnel of the charity were £30,326 Icomparative.. £18,587).
- Related Party Transartlons The key management personnel of the charity are considered to be related partles and the totsl ernployee beneffts are sèt out in note 6 above. The trustees are not remunerated. No tntstees were relmbursed for expense5 incurred in the co¢trse of the charlS operations IComparativÈ:£nill. Durln8 the period. donation income was recÈNed from trustees (Comparative.. Énill and donatlon Income ol £nll was receivtd frorn key management personnel (Comparative: £nill There were no other relatÈd party transactions durin8 the perioj.
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Net [eXpenlture11lrOme This Is stated after chawng.. 2023.2024 Depreciailon Auditors, remuneratlon VAT): Audit and Ac¢oyntan¢y Fee5 16
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Taxatlon The charlty is exempt from ¢orwration tsx ¢)n its charltable activities.
- Tangible Flxed Assets The Charlty has no Fixed Assets
- Debtor5 Prepayments fjlft aid retoverable 143 Ac¢rued Incoffle Other Debtor5 143
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Creditors: amoth)ts falllrva due wlthln one year 202<2025 2023-2024 Ac¢nJals L710 Deferred Income Trade creditor5 o1hercre1t0rS 1323fj1 13J901 16W5 Deferred Sncome arise5 on grants glven for projects of lon8er than one year in duration based on the sta8e of completion of the project.. BalarKe brought forwird Deferred in year Released In yeaf 66.667 58.333 15.833 (6Q667J (543331 15,833 17
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Utyr•strKt•d Funds B•l•n¢e •t 31 Marth 2024 B•l4n¢eot 31 M)r¢h 2025 UThre5trirted Funds 84.556 193.421 1139.1571 112.4791 126.641 Bolonceot31 2023 rrunsft 8olGnceot31 Murch 2024 UnrestrkredFunds 7&811 i(K966 I.728) {&493} 8¢.556 14 Desl6nated Fund5 Balance 31 Marth 2024 B•l•n¢¢ •t 31 Tth 2025 DesiBnated lund Bolonte ut 31 Morch 2023 Bglonce 31 MuKh 2024 tgnated fund
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ReStrt Funds 8ulonceoi 31 Morch 2024 Expenditwe Tmnsfvrs 8olunceot 31 March 2025 Trustees Away Day Aydience r)evebpmert Navigatlng the New Nomial I)PEn Weekend Social Prescrfbi 1766 1.766 4182 4.182 storytelling projert To8etherWe Build 5.151 184.5101 12.479 7.869 14968 73.288 184.5101 12.479 20.225 8olonttot 31 Morth 2023 Tronsfws Bolonceot 31 lrtarctt2024 Trustees Away Dav Audience Development Navlgatfjngihe New Normal Open Weekend Social Prescdbing Storytelling projetl Togetherwe Build 1.766 1.766 io. 111.6861 4.182 f479J 142ZO 4,182 3.116 19.1821 114.6521 7,175 432 5,151 5,151 7,869 23.534 115.6651 I5115> 24,840 37.450 8.493 16 31 Morch2025 Fund bal•nces at 31 March 2025 are repre5tnted bv- Tangiblefixed assets Current assets 126.641 116W51 20,225 146 Current Ilabilitie5 116.8051 ICP3.837 20225 0.062 UnrestrKted 8olonceot 31 Murdi 2024 Ftmds Fundboloncesot31 March 2024 ore repSenteby." Tonqlblellxedossets Currentossets 14&794 (64,237J 14968 167.762 164.237) Curnentllobllities 84.557 14968 103.525 19