## **LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL CHORUS**
## **FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024**
**CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1197192**
**DAINS AUDIT LTD Chartered Accountants St John’s Court Wiltell Road Lichfield Staffordshire WS14 9DS**
1
## **LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL CHORUS**
## **INDEX TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
||**Pages**|
|---|---|
|Annual Report|3-6|
|Independent Examiners Report|7|
|Statement of Financial Activities|8|
|Balance Sheet|9|
|Notes to the Financial Statements|10-12|
2
## **LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL CHORUS ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024**
## **Reference and Administrative information**
## **Honorary President:**
Mr David Cliffe
The Trustees who served during the year are:-
Mrs Charlotte Groves Chairman Mr Mike Tighe Secretary Dr Paul Ecclestone-Brown Treasurer & Ticket Officer Mrs Robina Bettson Choir Representative Mrs Minna Andrews Minutes Secretary Mr John Skurr Music Officer Mr Nigel Lindsell Choir Representative & Vice Chairman Mr Stephen Bushill Membership Secretary Mrs Phillipa Allen-Simpson Publicity Officer to 27 Oct 2023
## **Principal Address:**
Lichfield Cathedral Chorus c/o Paul Ecclestone-Brown 153 Leomansley View Lichfield WS13 8AU
**Registered Charity Number: Independent Examiner:**
1197192
M Gurney FCCA, DChA of Dains Audit Ltd St John’s Court Wiltell Road Lichfield WS14 9DS
**Principal Bankers:**
Cooperative Bank plc PO Box 101 1 Balloon Street Manchester M60 4EP
3
## **LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL CHORUS ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024 (CONTINUED)**
## **Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 July 2024**
The members of the Managing Committee present their report along with the Financial Statements of the Charity for the year ended 31 July 2024.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out on page 10 and comply with the Charity’s Constitution, the Charities Act 2011 and 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 effective 1 January 2019.
## **Structure, Governance and Management**
Charity Number 1197192 is governed by its constitution and was registered with the Charity Commission on 17 December 2021 as a CIO.
Under the constitution there must be at least three trustees and not more than twenty. Trustees are appointed at the AGM. The first Trustees of the CIO retired from office at the first AGM on 16th November 2022. Those willing to continue were reappointed unopposed. In subsequent AGMs one-third of the trustees shall retire from office as set out in the Constitution. The Trustees normally meet six times per year to consider the Charity’s affairs.
New Trustees are appointed from amongst the membership of the chorus.
## **Objects, Organisation and Activities**
The Charity is established to advance, improve, develop and maintain public education in, and foster appreciation of the art and science of music in all its aspects by any means the trustees see fit, including through the presentation of public concerts and recitals in the Cathedral Church of Lichfield and elsewhere and to further such charitable purpose or purposes as the charity trustees in their absolute discretion shall think fit, but in particular by the making of grants and donations.
Members of the chorus comprise:
a) Performing members, who take part in the performance of choral works; and b) Patrons.
All members pay the annual subscription. The rates for 2023/2024 were set as follows: Full subscription £156 Students £25 Patrons £25 minimum
Ben Lamb, the Director of Music at the Cathedral, is our Musical Director. Liam Condon, formerly Honorary Assistant Organist at the Cathedral and Organist at St Alphege Church, Solihull, is our Accompanist.
In the event of winding up of the Chorus any surplus assets shall be given or transferred to an organisation having similar objects to those of the Chorus.
4
## **LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL CHORUS ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024 (CONTINUED)**
## **Achievements and Performances**
Our first concert in November was an ambitious combination of Leonard Berstein’s exciting _Chichester Psalms_ and Bob Chilcott’s 2019 composition, _Christmas Oratorio._ A disappointing size of audience and high music costs of performing less well-known music still in copyright meant that the performance ran at a loss of £2,747.
Our Christmas period was marked by three appearances of members of the choir. Two were financially risk free – singing carols at Shugborough Hall and at the Cathedral’s Illuminations. As a departure from the norm, at the Cathedral’s insistence, the Christmas Carols were put on as an event promoted by just the Chorus, rather than as a partnership between the Salvation Army, the Chorus and the Cathedral. The Cathedral charged the Chorus its charity rate for hire of the building. After long consideration, the Trustees decided not to charge for admission for the majority of the audience to preserve some of the community nature of a much-loved evening for many people in the area, however we were forced to charge for some reserved seating. The event ran at a loss of £2,037.
The spring term was dominated by a period of repertoire in which members rehearsed Bach’s enormous St Matthew’s Passion under the expert guidance of Ben and Liam.
Our Summer concert was truly a game of two halves in which the chorus performed Dvorak’s rowdy football chants in his _Te Deum_ in a new performing edition with reduced orchestra prepared for the Chorus by Paul Ecclestone-Brown. The spirit of the concert was rapidly transformed by a beautiful performance of Faure’s _Cantique de Jean Racine_ , _Pavane_ and _Requiem_ ethereally accompanied by The Lichfield Camerata. The large orchestral forces required for the performance and a disappointingly small audience meant that a loss of £3,035 was made at this concert.
## **Financial Review**
Costs have continued to increase significantly due to global inflationary pressures. The trustees have explored several ways of reducing cost and increasing revenue. We are looking for local corporate sponsorship, to ensure that we keep the price of concert tickets as affordable as possible, whilst being able to work with talented soloists and instrumental performers.
With the societal trend of Thursday night being the “new Friday night”, the cathedral is now increasingly finding it hard to make the space available for use by the Chorus for rehearsals as its own commercial needs mean that it has had to increase the marketing of its space as a commercial venue. This means that the trustees have created a relationship with Lichfield Methodist Church for more regular use of its church as a rehearsal venue. This has increased venue hire costs for the Chorus.
After much deliberation, the trustees decided to set subscriptions at £175 per year for the 2024/25 season. Members are now able to pay these as a one-off sum or by continued use of the increasingly popular direct debit arrangement. As always, members who feel that they are unable to pay the full fees are welcome to confidentially request a lower rate to the treasurer or the chairman.
The attached financial statements show the current state of the finances of the CIO organisation, which the Trustees consider to be sound. Free reserves at 31 July 2024 were £25,620 (£27,402 at 31 July 2023).
5
## **LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL CHORUS ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024 (CONTINUED)**
This falls within the range agreed by the Trustees and is held to finance working capital requirements and cover any future shortfall in income.
## **Public Benefit**
The Trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the Charity’s aims and objectives and have complied with their duties under the Charities Act 2011.
## **Trustees Responsibilities in Relation to the Financial Statements**
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
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:
- ➢ select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- ➢ observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
- ➢ make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- ➢ state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
- ➢ prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Charity will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records which 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. 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.
Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf
……………………………………………..
Charlotte Groves Date:27 June 2025
6
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL CHORUS**
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 July 2024 which are set out on pages 8 to 12.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity’s trustees 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 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 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:
1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
3. 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.
## **Mark Gurney FCCA, DChA**
of Dains Audit Ltd St. John’s Court Wiltell Road Lichfield Staffordshire WS14 9DS
Date: 27 June 2025
7
## **LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL CHORUS STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024**
|**Note**
**Income from:**
Subscriptions and donations
2
Concert income
3
Income from social events
Library income
Bank interest and investment income
**Total Income**
**Expenditure on:**
General running expenditure
4
Concert expenditure
5
Expenditure on social events
Library expenditure
Scholarship expense
Grants to Lichfield Cathedral
**Total Expenditure**
**Net (Expenditure)/Income**
Unrealised Gain/(Loss)
on investment revaluation
8
**Net movement in funds**
Fund Balance brought forward
**Fund Balance carried forward**|**2024**
**2023**
**£**
**_£_**|
|---|---|
||18,233
15,017
8,888
16,061
141
191
1,246
1,120
695
626|
||**29,203**
**33,015**|
||9,879
9,830
16,452
14,734
125
157
249
916
(300)
450
4,762
6,762|
||**31,167**
**32,849**|
||(1,964)
166
1,393
(332)|
||(571)
(166)
29,402
29,568|
||**28,831**
**29,402**|
8
## **LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL CHORUS BALANCE SHEET 31 JULY 2024**
|**Note**
**FIXED ASSETS**
Music 7
Listed Investment 8
**CURRENT ASSETS**
CBF Deposit Account
Cooperative Bank
Cash at hand
Debtors 9
**CURRENT LIABILITIES**
Creditors 10
**NET ASSETS**
**FUNDS**
Income Fund|**2024**
**£**
**£**
3,211
19,929
23,140
3,512
405
202
3,731
7,850
(2,159)
5,691
**28,831**
**28,831**|**2024**
**£**
**£**
3,211
19,929
23,140
3,512
405
202
3,731
7,850
(2,159)
5,691
**28,831**
**28,831**|**2023**
**£**
**£**
2,000
18,536
20,536
2,815
8,360
212
2,226
13,613
(4,747)
8,866
**29,402**
**29,402**|**2023**
**£**
**£**
2,000
18,536
20,536
2,815
8,360
212
2,226
13,613
(4,747)
8,866
**29,402**
**29,402**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||23,140
5,691||20,536
8,866|
||7,850||13,613||
||(2,159)||(4,747)||
||||||
|||**28,831**||**29,402**|
|||**28,831**||**29,402**|
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102).
These Accounts were approved by the Trustees on 27 June 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
**----- Start of picture text -----**
_____________________________ _____________________________
Paul Ecclestone-Brown Charlotte Groves
Date: 27 June 2025 Date: 27 June 2025
**----- End of picture text -----**
9
## **LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL CHORUS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024**
## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES General**
The accounts 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 effective 1 January 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) and the Charities Act 2011 and applicable regulations.
These Accounts have been prepared under the historic cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value, with the exception of the music, which is included at valuation 31 July 1994 and increased with a purchase of music in August 2023 and investments which are shown at market value.
These accounts have been prepared on the accruals basis.
The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS102.
|**2.**
**SUBSCRIPTIONS AND DONATIONS**
**2024**
**£**
Subscriptions
15,217
Tax repayable on Gift Aid income
2,002
Patrons & Donations
1,014
18,233
**3.**
**CONCERT INCOME**
**2024**
Concert income:
**£ **
Winter
3,310
Carol Concert
1,240
Spring
-
Summer
4,338
8,888
**4.**
**GENERAL RUNNING EXPENDITURE**
**2024**
**£**
Conductors and Accompanist
7,722
Rent of Room
593
Sundry Administration Expenditure
79
Adverts, Brochures and Website
540
Making Music Membership
675
Independent Examiner’s Fee
270
9,879||**2023**
**£**
10,335
1,714
2,968|
|---|---|---|
|||15,017|
|||**2023**
**£**
5,424
548
4,694
5,395|
|||16,061|
|||**2023**
**£**
7,873
314
302
247
544
550|
|||9,830|
10
## **LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL CHORUS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024 (CONTINUED)**
## **5. CONCERT EXPENDITURE**
|Concert income:
Preceding years
Winter
Carol Concert
Spring
Summer|**2024**
**£ **
(255)
6,057
3,277
-
7,373
16,452|**2023**
**£**
(200)
8,147
240
4,227
2,320|
|---|---|---|
|||14,734|
## **6. TRUSTEES REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES**
No Trustee or any person connected with them has received or is due to receive any remuneration or expenses for the year directly or indirectly from the Charity’s funds.
No expenditure was made in relation to related parties.
|**7.**
**MUSIC**
Previously valued 31stJuly 1994
(Valued for insurance purposes £6,000 at 31 Jul 2024)
Value at 1 August – year commencement
Additions to library
Value at 31 July – year end of holding
**8.**
**LISTEDINVESTMENTS**
857.46 CBF Investment Fund Income Shares
Market Value at 1 August – year commencement
Increase/(Decrease) in Value of holding
Market Value at 31 July – year end of holding
Historic Cost
**9`.**
**DEBTORS**
Gift aid recoverable
Direct Debit - subs
Prepayment – 2023 Carols Deposit||**2024**
**£**
2,000
1,211
3,211
**2024**
**£**
18,536
1,393
19,929
9,573
**2024**
**£**
3,716
15
-
3,731||**2023**
**£**
2,000
-|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||2,000|
|||||**2023**
**£**
18,868
(332)|
|||||18,536|
|||||9,573|
|||||**2023**
**£**
1,713
-
513|
|||||2,226|
11
## **LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL CHORUS NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2024 (CONTINUED)**
## **10. CREDITORS**
|**CREDITORS**|||
|---|---|---|
|Concert expenditure - performing rights levy payable
Concert expenditure
Grant to Lichfield Cathedral
Independent examiner
Scholarship payment|**2024**
**£**
32
807
-
1,320
-
2,159|**2023**
**£**
1,016
-
2,381
1,050
300|
|||4,747|
## **11 CHARITY MERGER**
The unincorporated charity Lichfield Cathedral Chorus, registered charity number 509833, transferred its assets to Lichfield Cathedral Chorus, a charitable incorporated organisation, registered charity number 1197192 on 5 May 2022.
12