STONELEIGH YOUTH ORCHESTRA
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
Charity Number 1199210
STONELEIGH YOUTH ORCHESTRA
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
| CONTENTS | PAGE |
|---|---|
| Members of the board and professional advisers | 1 |
| Trustees’ annual report | 2 |
| Independent examiner's report | 6 |
| Statement of financial activities | 7 |
| Balance sheet | 8 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 9 |
STONELEIGH YOUTH ORCHESTRA
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
Trustees Julian Hardwick (Chair) Stephen Grant (Vice-Chair) Bridget Merchant (Treasurer) Isobel Stephen (Secretary) Noriko Rudd Registered office 28 Denham Road Epsom Surrey KT17 3AA Independent examiner Jason Lai 27 Wellfield Gardens Carshalton SM5 4EA Bankers CAF Bank Ltd 25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill West Malling Kent ME19 4JQ Solicitors Gorvins Dale House, Tivot Dale, Stockport Cheshire SK1 1TA
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STONELEIGH YOUTH ORCHESTRA
TRUSTEES’ REPORT
YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
The Trustees have pleasure in presenting their report and the unaudited financial statements of the Charity for the year ended 31 August 2025.
These financial statements comply with the current statutory requirements, the requirements of the Charities SORP (FRS102) and the requirements of the Charity’s governing document.
INTRODUCTION
Stoneleigh Youth Orchestra (charity number 1199210) is a registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation governed by its Articles of Association, incorporated on 7 June 2022. It begain trading on 1 January 2023, taking over the activities and net assets of the Charity The Stoneleigh Youth Orchestra Society (charity registration 280297) on that date.
OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the Charity are to educate the public in the arts and sciences, particularly the art and science of music, and to this end we regularly hold concerts, which are open to the public. The Charity performed three concerts during the year: at Fairfield Halls in December 2024; at Cadogan Hall in March 2025; and at Fairfield Halls in July 2025. The Main Orchestra undertook another successful summer tour to Europe in July 2025, travelling to the Costa Maresme, Spain and giving concerts in Castello d’Empuries, Manresa and Barcelona.
Furthermore we aim to advance the musical education of young persons under the age of 21 years. Through regular weekly rehearsals with our conductors, and sectional rehearsals conducted by external specialist tutors, the players have the opportunity to learn a wide repertoire of challenging classical music and improve their orchestral and musical skills. We actively recruit disadvantaged players from the boroughs of Epsom, Kingston, Merton, Richmond, Sutton and Wandsworth. We offer financial assistance towards the cost of membership to those who require it, and we have a clear policy that no person who is musically eligible to join one of the orchestras will be denied access to membership for financial reasons. £1,788 (2024 £2,450) was spent on bursaries during the year.
In 2016 the Charities Act as amended came into force bringing in new safeguards on fundraising. Stoneleigh Youth Orchestra (the “Orchestra”) does not fundraise using professional fundraisers or through third parties, does not share data externally with third parties and ensures that anyone acting on its behalf follows its internal policies.
In May 2018 the Data Protection Act came into force. The Trustees have put in place a number of safeguards and policies to ensure that data is not shared with third parties, is stored securely and that anyone acting on their behalf abides by the Data Protection Policy so that the Orchestra meets the conditions of the law.
The Trustees believe that by pursuing these objectives they have complied with the duty in section 4 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission.
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STONELEIGH YOUTH ORCHESTRA
TRUSTEES’ REPORT
YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
ORGANISATION
The Charity Trustees shall manage the affairs of the SYO and may for that purpose exercise all the powers of the SYO. The Charity Trustees may delegate any of their powers or functions to a committee or committees, and, if they do, they must determine the terms and conditions on which the delegation is made.
Membership of the Charity is open to anyone who is interested in furthering its purposes, and who,by applying for membership, has indicated their agreement to become a member and acceptance of the duty of members set out in the Articles of Association. In accordance with its predecessor Association, the Charity comprises members categorised as players, parents and friends. Players are defined as members who are no older than 21 years on the first day of September prior to the Charity’s Annual General Meeting. Priority is given to those who live in Surrey and Greater London, and who have attained an appropriate standard of musical efficiency for either the Main Orchestra or the Training Orchestra, as determined by the Musical Director, and who are acceptable to the Musical Director. Parents are defined as the natural parents or legal guardians of Players. Friends are defined as neither players nor parents, but those who wish to further the objectives of the Charity. In 2024/5 the Charity had 174 playing members.
The Charity Trustees:
(i) may require applications for membership to be made in any reasonable way that they decide; (ii) shall, if they approve an application for membership, notify the applicant of their decision within 21 days
(iii) may refuse an application for membership if they believe that it is in the best interests of the SYO for them to do so;
(iv) shall, if they decide to refuse an application for membership, give the applicant their reasons for doing so, within 21 days of the decision being taken, and give the applicant the opportunity to appeal against the refusal; and
(v) shall give fair consideration to any such appeal, and shall inform the applicant of their decision, but any decision to confirm refusal of the application for membership shall be final.
The Charity Trustees can take a decision to remove someone from membership of the SYO, following the guidelines laid down in the Articles of Association.
The SYO may require members to pay reasonable membership fees to the SYO.
The AGM will be held on 25 February 2026. One third of the elected Charity Trustees shall retire at each AGM, but shall be eligible for re-election. At this AGM, Noriko Rudd gave notice she will retire as a Trustee but wishes to be relected. Julian Hardwick gave notice that he will retire and stand down as Chair and will not be relected. Isobel Stephen is standing down as Secretary and standing for election as Chair. Josephina Brinker is standing to be elected as a Trustee and Secretary.
The Charity raises funds from the public in the UK and does not receive income from outside the UK. It does not use a professional fundraiser and does not receive income or grant funding from contracts with central government or a local authority. In the current period the Charity had an income of £146,214 (2024: £142,650) and an expenditure of £129,517, (2024: £123,613) generating a surplus for the period of £16,696 (2024: £19,038).
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STONELEIGH YOUTH ORCHESTRA
TRUSTEES’ REPORT
YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
The Charity currently has total net assets of £193,038 (2024: £176,342) of which £179,792 is unrestricted (2024: £161,452). During the period we purchased additional fixed assets to the value of £1,678.
POLICIES
In regard to prizes, the Executive Committee (the “Committee”) is permitted to award a prize, called “The Gough Memorial Prize”, which does not exceed the then fixed subscription, on an annual basis to the player or players who it feels have contributed the most to the Main Orchestra.
In regard to grants, the Committee is permitted to establish a bursary fund from independent donations, in order to aid player members of the orchestra with the cost of instruments, fees and subscriptions.
In regard to financial policy, the Treasurer will keep all accounting records and will have the responsibility to submit the accounts to an AGM, after they have been reviewed by an Independent Examiner who is not an Executive Committee member. Bank accounts and signatories are approved by the resolution of the Executive Committee and signatories can be the Treasurer, or the Chair, ViceChair or the Secretary, or one of three other committee members approved by the Executive Committee.
The Executive Committee has agreed written policies regarding Child Protection, Health and Safety, Equal Opportunities, Data Protection and Social Media. These are reviewed and updated by the Committee each year. The Committee has agreed that the Charity is compliant with current child safeguarding regulations. All the Trustees and any volunteers chaperoning children at concerts have obtained a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) training and check. During this year there were no serious incidents that the Charity was required to report to the Charity Commission.
Risk Management – the Executive Committee has identified a risk of high turnover of members with no new applicants. This is mitigated by a proactive strategy aimed at new member recruitment including advertising, workshops, mail shots and taster days. It has additionally identified a risk associated with low interest rates. This is mitigated by moving funds into a higher rate interest account where appropriate and by fundraising events.
Investment Policy – the Executive Committee has agreed a policy to have an accessible, higher rate deposit account with CAF, retaining minimum funds in a low interest bearing current account.
The Executive Committee has resolved that the Charity will endeavour to maintain unrestricted reserves broadly in line with one year’s expenditure.
If the Charity should ever be dissolved, then any assets left after all debt is paid shall be transferred to another charity or organization whose objects are similar to the Charity, to be decided by the Executive Committee.
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STONELEIGH YOUTH ORCHESTRA
TRUSTEES’ REPORT
YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
INVESTMENT POWERS AND RESTRICTIONS
Investment powers are limited by the financial policies of the Articles of Association.
In regard to restrictions by the Articles of Association, any proposals that may amend or dissolve the Charity need to be set out in writing in the notice of a general meeting. In addition, for these proposals to be passed they have to be supported by at 75% of those voting at the general meeting and then approved by the Charity Commission.
FUTURE ACTIVITIES
The Charity intends to continue with current activities comprising weekly rehearsals during term time, at least three public concerts per year, workshops and an annual or bi-annual orchestra tour, supported by subscriptions and fundraising events.
ANY OTHERS MATTERS
The Trustees carried out a risk analysis of future funding and current assets and are satisfied that the Charity’s risk management policy and procedures adequately address the risks to the Charity. The Committee has put in place ‘Public Liability’ and ‘Employer’s Liability’ insurance policies and cover for musical instruments and scores owned by the Charity. This year’s expenditure on insurance was £345 (2024: £340).
Signed by order of the Trustees
28 Denham Road Epsom Surrey KT173AA
Julian Hardwick Honorary Chair
Approved by the Trustees on 25 February 2026
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STONELEIGH YOUTH ORCHESTRA
INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS’ REPORT
YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
I report on the unaudited accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31 August 2025 set out on pages 7 to 9.
RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TRUSTEES AND THE INDEPENDENT EXAMINER
The Charity’s Tustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Charity’s Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Charities Act”) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility:
-
to examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act;
-
to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act; and
-
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
BASIS OF INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An independent examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as Trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given on whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S STATEMENT
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
-
(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
-
(a) to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and
-
(b) to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act
have not been met; or
(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Jason Lai 27 Wellfield Gardens Carshalton SM5 4EA
25 February 2026
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STONELEIGH YOUTH ORCHESTRA
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
| 2025 | 2024 |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Turnover | |||
| Audition Fees - Income | 1,080 | 960 | |
| Concert tickets, programme sales and venue income | - | 3 |
|
| Donations | 3,806 | 3,687 | |
| Friends and Patrons | 5,440 | 5,110 | |
| Gift Aid / Income Tax received | 13,540 | 12,552 | |
| Interest Income | 1,868 | 2,150 | |
| Members subscriptions | 53,088 | 51,058 | |
| Tour income | 67,392 | 67,129 | |
| Total Turnover | 146,214 | 142,650 | |
| Gross Profit | 146,214 | 142,650 | |
| Administrative Costs | |||
| Advertising & Marketing | 2,173 | 2,731 | |
| Audit & Accountancy fees | 537 | 903 | |
| Bank Fees | 158 | 60 | |
| Commission payable | 41,325 | 37,582 | |
| Depreciation Expense | 3,708 | 1,685 | |
| General Expenses | 1,929 | 2,045 | |
| Gough and other awards | 650 | 650 | |
| Insurance | 653 | 712 | |
| IT Software and Consumables | 240 | 212 | |
| Loss on disposal of fixed assets | 577 | - | |
| One Day Workshop | 2,128 | 2,137 | |
| Other professional fees | 1,410 | 428 | |
| Tour Expense | 73,726 | 74,155 | |
| Website costs | 304 | 314 | |
| Total Administrative Costs | 129,517 | 123,613 | |
| Operating Profit | 16,696 | 19,038 | |
| Profit on Ordinary Activities Before Taxation | 16,696 | 19,038 | |
| Profit after Taxation | 16,696 | 19,038 |
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STONELEIGH YOUTH ORCHESTRA
BALANCE SHEET
YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
| Fixed Assets | 31 Aug 2025 31 Aug 2024 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Tangible Assets | ||
| Equipment | 49,257 49,175 |
|
| Less Accumulated Depreciation on Equipment | (27,212) (24,571) |
|
| Less Accumulated Depreciation on Music Library | (862) (727) |
|
| Music library | 2,073 1,988 |
|
| Total Tangible Assets | 23,257 25,864 |
|
| Total Fixed Assets Current Assets |
23,257 25,864 |
|
| Cash at bank and in hand | ||
| Deposit - Gold | 23,269 28,202 |
|
| Main | 7,552 500 |
|
| SYO Bursary Account | 13,246 14,890 |
|
| Total Cash at bank and in hand | 44,068 43,592 |
|
| Investment in SYO Production Co Ltd | 4 4 |
|
| Prepayments and Accrued Income | 13,583 13,323 |
|
| 112,248 93,562 |
||
| 169,904 150,482 |
||
| Accruals | 122 4 |
|
| Total Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Capital and Reserves |
122 4 |
|
| Net Current Assets (Liabilities) | 169,781 150,478 |
|
| Net Assets | 193,038 176,342 |
|
| Current Year Earnings | 16,696 19,038 |
|
| Retained Earnings | 176,342 157,304 |
|
| Total Capital and Reserves | 193,038 176,342 |
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STONELEIGH YOUTH ORCHESTRA
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of accounting
These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention and prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice “Accounting and Reporting by Charities” FRS 102 and with the Charities Act 2011.
The accounts are prepared on an accruals basis.
Fixed Assets
Fixed assets are disclosed at historic cost less depreciation. Equipment is depreciated at either 10% or 20% per annum on a reducing balance basis, sheet music is depreciated at 10% per annum on a reducing balance basis.
The Trustees have reviewed the depreciation policy for certain instruments. The Trustees are of the opinion that the current net residual value of the following instruments is at least equal to the long term value of the instruments. These instruments will not therefore be depreciated any further.
Buffet Clarinet R13 in A Contrabassoon Viola by MMX Viola by MMX Cor Anglais S30
BURSARIES AWARDED 2025 2024 £ £ Bursaries to support membership fees 0 400 Bursaries to support tour fees 1,788 2,050
Bursaries to support membership fees Bursaries to support tour fees
FEES
Fees were paid to our Musical Director and Training Orchestra Conductor during the year. Following its incorporation, SYO Production Company Limited took over responsibility for paying these fees. No other salaries or wages have been paid to employees, including the members of the committee, during the year.
RESERVES
The committee has agreed that a level of unrestricted reserves shall be maintained broadly equivalent to expenditure for one year.
RESTRICTED FUNDS
The Bursary Fund is restricted. Ther remaining funds are unrestricted and there are no designated funds.
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