Trustees. Annual Report for the period Penc>d start dale Period end date From 01 01 2023 To 31 12 2023 Section A Reference and administration details Charity name Decibellas Other names charlty Is kllown by R•glstered charity number (if any) 1197363 Charlty's prlncipal address 7 Goosebrook Close Comberbach Northwich, Cheshire Postcode CW9 68X Names of Ihe Charlty trustees who manago the charlty Dats8 a¢tsd bf not for whol• •ar Tru•t•• nam• Offi¢• Ilf any) Naffle ol per•on lor body) entltled toa olnt trustoe Ilan Joan Mason Gwyneth Struthers Amanda Moran Deborah Jowett Susan McNeil Chair Secretary Treasurer Vice Chair Music Librarian Jacqueline Nevin Elizabeth Laycock Jacqueline Tumer elen Rae Events C(>ordinator Events Co-ordinator 01.01.23- 16.02.23 16.02.23-31.12.23 Music Libranan Fundraising & Sponsorship 10 12 13 14 16 17 18 19 20 Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodlan trustees) Name Dates acted if not for whole ear TAR March 2012
Names and addresses of advisers {Optional inforniation) e of adviser Name Address Name of chlef oxecutive or names of senlor stsff members (Opllonal Inforniation) Section B Structure, Description of the charity's trusts Type of governing document Constitution adopted on 31d March 2022 overnance and mana ement How the charity is constituted Unincorporated association Trustee selection methods Trustees arè appointed or reappointed at the Annual Gen8ral Meeting held In the spring term for a tWOThyear term of offi. Addltional governance Issuès (Optional information) You may choose to include additional information. where The choir was granted charity status on 6th January 2022. relevant, about.. Membership of the choir is open to all adults who sing soprano or atto and Gan attend rehearsals in Tarporley, Cheshire. The choir is a member of the National Association of Choirs. policies and procedures adopted for the induction and trainin9 of Iruslees". the charity's organisational structure and any wider network with which the charrty works,, relationship with any related parties", Iruslees, consideration of major risks and the system and procedures lo manage them Section C Ob ectives and activities To promote the enjoyment of music throush public concerts To use music to improve people's wellbeing To support other charitable organisations through the provision of grant funding Summary of the objects of the charlty set out in its governing document TAR Mard) 2012
In planning our activrties for the year we kept in mind the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit. The choir held a number of public performances during 2023 Joining Son8s of Praise from Chester Cathedral in February Manchester Amateur Choral Competition Our summer concert in St Boniface Church. Bunbury in July Li8ht up a Life service at St Luke's Hospice, Winsford Our Christmas concert at St Boniface Church, Bunbury. Summary ofthe maln activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objects Ilnclude wlthln this section the statutory declaratlon that truslees have had regard to the guidan¢e Issued by the Charlty Commisslon on publlc bgnefitl AddStlonal detai18 of objKtive• and actlvllles Ioptlonal infomiatlonl In 2023 the choir decided lo appoint our first Assistant Musi¢ Director, a young person with a strong musical background who seeks more experien¢e in ¢horal conducting. This position is intended lo be for tsyo-year period initially. Under the stewardship of our Music Director, she is gaining experience In leading rehearsals, sele¢ting repèrtoire and leading the Choir in perfomiarsce. You may choose to Indude further statements, where relevanl, al)out'. policy on grantmaking. policy programme related investment., The choir relies on rts members to volunteer to assist in all aspects of running the choir, including marketing, fundraising, musi¢ organisalion, cOnrt preparation and administration. The choir is proud to support a charity called The Neuromuscular Cenlre for production of all our promotional malerials and concert programmes contribution made by volunteers. TAR Mafth 2012
Section D Achievements and performance The choir obtained charitable status on 6, January 2022. Summary oflhe main achievements of the charlty during the year We held two concerts in 2023. attractin8 audiences of over 200 in Boniface Church. Bunbury. In keeping with our charitable objects, most of the proceeds have been awarded to local charities through small grants. The remaining proceeds have been retained for the advancement of the choir's objettive5 in purchasing new repertoire ènd improving performance. Decibellas raised over £3,OCrf) from ticket sales and sponsorshlp for each of its two concerts in 2023. held in July and December. With the proceeds, the committee decided to invite local charities to submit applications for a small 8rant. For 2023, choir members voted to support charities workin8 in the field of children's mental health. Five charities submitted grant requests. all of which were awarded. The charities Decibellas awarded 8rants to are: l. Platform for Life- awarded £l.000 2. Chapter- awarded £l,CM)O. 3. Visyon~ awarded £l,¢JJO. 4. Friends of Cls-awarded £500. 5. Motherwell-awarded £l.000. Decibellas, members also invited one charity to hold a bucket collection at each of their two concerts. Platform For Life and Vlsyon raised £1,146.10 and £1,200 re5pectivelv. TAR March 2012
Section E Financial review Cash al bank at 31SI December 2023 was £9 4k ofwhich £6.2k is unrestricted. £1.5k represenls members music deposits which are refunded when they leave and retum their music to the choir. This sum is shown as reslricled funds. Around £1.7k of funds are amounts deposited by members held for their use in funding the Tour to Sicily which took placè in Apnl 2024 This money is also shown as restricted funds. The balance is retained for working capital and unforeseen circumslances. Brief statement of the charity's policy on reserves Detsils of any funds materially in deficit Not applicable Further flnanclal rovlew detslls Ioptlonal Inforniatlon) Our main source of funds is membership subscriptions, which are used lo fund the cost of rehearsals - rent of rehearsal room and payment to the Musical Director and Accompanist, and also to purchase new music lo expand the ¢hoir's repertoire You may choose to incltKle additional infomiation. where relevant about.. the charity'$ principal sources of funds {including any fundraising)., how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity., investment policy and objectives including any ethical investment policy adopted. We also raised money through our July and Christmas concerts (through lickel sales and sponsorship) which enabled us to share our pleasure in singing wilh the audience and also to support our nominated charities through our grantmaking programme. Section F Other optional information Section G Declaration The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees, report above. Slgned on behalf of the charlty's trustses Slgnature(s Full namels) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, elGI Joan Mason Amanda Moran Chair Treasurer Dats 17 July 2024 TAR Mar¢h 2012
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Se¢tion A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of DecitrEllas On accounts for the year ended 31 st December 2023 Charity no {rf any) 1197363 Set out on pages 3&4 I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the al)ove harity (Yhe Trust") for the year ended 3111212023 Responsibilities and As the chartty twstees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance wrth the r8]uirements of the Chartttes Act 2011 (Ihe Acr). I report in resiH of my examinalion of the Trusys accounts carried out under seLon 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Chanty Commtssion Lder section 145(5)(b) of the Act. I have completed my examination. I cornlm that no material matters have come to my attention (other than that disdosed below l in connection wrth the examination vthich giwès me cause to believe that in. any material respect." ac¢ountirKJ records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not a)rd wth the accounting rrdS Independent examiner's statement I have no concems and have come across no other matters in connection ith the examination to vthich attention should be drawn in order to enable proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. . Please delete the wortls in the bCketS rfthey cb not apply. Stgned: Date: 29th February 2024 Name: Dr Alan Walter Dowen Relevant professional qualificatlon(s) or body (if any): PhD, MIChemE. CEng Address: 17 Brookside, Ashton Hayes Chester CH3 8BZ IER October 2018
Section B Disclosure Only complete rf the examiner needs to highligm matters of COnM (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts.. directions and guidan for examiners). Give here brfef details of any items that the examiner wtshes to disclose. Left intentionally blank IER October 2018
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGiANtI AND WAIES ChaTity Name Decibella$ No Ilf ami) 1197363 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a Forthe period from Ped 51art date Petiod end date 01rt11R023 31112r2023 Section A Receipts and payments Restrithd funds Endowment fund5 fvnds Total funds Last ygar tott Tharo¥t£ nBarest £ A1 Recei ets sut6c Drps$es Sund Grants Énd Wotks tick$ Weddi cr IZ49S 12,495 Y1.561 fj2 800 38D Ju COnrt I31[a$ Coert 3.292 1795 2,252 2.9D7 Tour Ite[[ ht retu[[d 27,919 1,711 13 13 2111 250 Other evenl8 Sub total(Gross income forARJ 24512 .371 21,341 A2 Asset and Invostm•nt salt& 8 table . Sub total 22.512 26.371 21,341 A3P merrt5 MLFIC Eirrfi( & k¢ornot Fknom Hlre Costs of crncert5 C¢st ol otr pvents CharitatAe dona1K5 In5uranGe Cotrputei $ecJtity & bSIteS. ziK ShL Bank chat Paynni lor (tIrS FQrty Item5 bowhl then retu scellaneou5 Sundry Tour paymnts on behatr of rreTrth Tr fund by ¢F¥ir 9.410 1.512 7,675 1.264 2.935 1059 250 176 176 401 137 1.711 13 q3 210 fj29 24.48 1.020 1.200 51.602 32 Sub total 51.6D2 19.440 A4 Ass8t and investrnent purcha5es.15ee table) Sub total Totslpayments 51.602 51,6W 19,440 Nat ofrecelpts/(paym8ntsJ A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash lunds thts yr gnd 29,090 26.371 2,719 1,900 9.617 2,554 12.171 10,270 12.171 6.191 3.260 9.452 Page 3
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrestricted funds bj TrMrqst£ Restrlct8d funds Endowmènt funds trj rfyar•st £ D81 B1 Ca5hfuThls Cash at ((2wrt c) &fj03.34 12 Totslcash funds 6,191 3,260 Restrictsd funds Endowm8nt funds funds Detsl B2 0r Mtsry ass•ts D8tall8 83 trwestmenta5sets Oetal Cc4t B4 Assets retalned for th• Charlty's usè irt urY8Stnct 8 SI t•JS 116 Fttodcb Ilatrlllty rela BS Liabilits 1.no SvJned byone ortM> Iw*ees on b•hattolaJ th• srjjre Date of woval r) C) v rO- 18/ L/ P89tr 4
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Se¢tion A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of DecitrEllas On accounts for the year ended 31 st December 2023 Charity no {rf any) 1197363 Set out on pages 3&4 I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the al)ove harity (Yhe Trust") for the year ended 3111212023 Responsibilities and As the chartty twstees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance wrth the r8]uirements of the Chartttes Act 2011 (Ihe Acr). I report in resiH of my examinalion of the Trusys accounts carried out under seLon 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Chanty Commtssion Lder section 145(5)(b) of the Act. I have completed my examination. I cornlm that no material matters have come to my attention (other than that disdosed below l in connection wrth the examination vthich giwès me cause to believe that in. any material respect." ac¢ountirKJ records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not a)rd wth the accounting rrdS Independent examiner's statement I have no concems and have come across no other matters in connection ith the examination to vthich attention should be drawn in order to enable proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. . Please delete the wortls in the bCketS rfthey cb not apply. Stgned: Date: 29th February 2024 Name: Dr Alan Walter Dowen Relevant professional qualificatlon(s) or body (if any): PhD, MIChemE. CEng Address: 17 Brookside, Ashton Hayes Chester CH3 8BZ IER October 2018
Section B Disclosure Only complete rf the examiner needs to highligm matters of COnM (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts.. directions and guidan for examiners). Give here brfef details of any items that the examiner wtshes to disclose. Left intentionally blank IER October 2018
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGiANtI AND WAIES ChaTity Name Decibella$ No Ilf ami) 1197363 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a Forthe period from Ped 51art date Petiod end date 01rt11R023 31112r2023 Section A Receipts and payments Restrithd funds Endowment fund5 fvnds Total funds Last ygar tott Tharo¥t£ nBarest £ A1 Recei ets sut6c Drps$es Sund Grants Énd Wotks tick$ Weddi cr IZ49S 12,495 Y1.561 fj2 800 38D Ju COnrt I31[a$ Coert 3.292 1795 2,252 2.9D7 Tour Ite[[ ht retu[[d 27,919 1,711 13 13 2111 250 Other evenl8 Sub total(Gross income forARJ 24512 .371 21,341 A2 Asset and Invostm•nt salt& 8 table . Sub total 22.512 26.371 21,341 A3P merrt5 MLFIC Eirrfi( & k¢ornot Fknom Hlre Costs of crncert5 C¢st ol otr pvents CharitatAe dona1K5 In5uranGe Cotrputei $ecJtity & bSIteS. ziK ShL Bank chat Paynni lor (tIrS FQrty Item5 bowhl then retu scellaneou5 Sundry Tour paymnts on behatr of rreTrth Tr fund by ¢F¥ir 9.410 1.512 7,675 1.264 2.935 1059 250 176 176 401 137 1.711 13 q3 210 fj29 24.48 1.020 1.200 51.602 32 Sub total 51.6D2 19.440 A4 Ass8t and investrnent purcha5es.15ee table) Sub total Totslpayments 51.602 51,6W 19,440 Nat ofrecelpts/(paym8ntsJ A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash lunds thts yr gnd 29,090 26.371 2,719 1,900 9.617 2,554 12.171 10,270 12.171 6.191 3.260 9.452 Page 3
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrestricted funds bj TrMrqst£ Restrlct8d funds Endowmènt funds trj rfyar•st £ D81 B1 Ca5hfuThls Cash at ((2wrt c) &fj03.34 12 Totslcash funds 6,191 3,260 Restrictsd funds Endowm8nt funds funds Detsl B2 0r Mtsry ass•ts D8tall8 83 trwestmenta5sets Oetal Cc4t B4 Assets retalned for th• Charlty's usè irt urY8Stnct 8 SI t•JS 116 Fttodcb Ilatrlllty rela BS Liabilits 1.no SvJned byone ortM> Iw*ees on b•hattolaJ th• srjjre Date of woval r) C) v rO- 18/ L/ P89tr 4