Charity registration number: 1203359
NEW LONDON COMMUNITY CHOIR working name CLERKENWELL COMMUNITY CHOIR
(A registered charity)
UNAUDITED
TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE 15 MONTHS TO 31 AUGUST 2024
NEW LONDON COMMUNITY CHOIR working name CLERKENWELL COMMUNITY CHOIR
(A registered charity)
CONTENTS
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Reference and administrative details of the Charity, its Trustees and advisers | 1 |
| Trustees' report | 2 – 4 |
| Independent examiner's report | 5 |
| Statement of financial activities | 6 |
| Balance sheet | 7 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 8 - 14 |
(A registered charity)
NEW LONDON COMMUNITY CHOIR working name CLERKENWELL COMMUNITY CHOIR
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS FOR THE 15 MONTHS ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
| Trustees | Adam Dale |
|---|---|
| Helen James | |
| Katherine Gardiner, Treasurer Milan Stamenkovic, Chair Nick Brittain Paul Turley Sandrina Carosso |
|
| Tim Kitchin | |
| Music Director Pianists Charity registration number Charity registration date Charity registered address Independent Examiner Bankers |
Emily Dickens Elizabeth Burley Joanna Smith 1203359 1 June 2023 11 Coombs Street London N1 8DJ Andrew Martyn-Johns The Rookery East Dundry Lane East Dundry Bristol BS41 8NJ Metro Bank One Southampton Row London WC1B 5HA The Co-operative Bank 1 Islington High Street London N1 9TR |
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NEW LONDON COMMUNITY CHOIR working name CLERKENWELL COMMUNITY CHOIR
(A registered charity)
TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE 15 MONTHS ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
The choir was formed following the closure by the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) of the LSO Community Choir in December 2022 and initially operated as an Association from January 2023. We registered New London Community Choir as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (the Charity) on 1 June 2023 with a working name of St Clements Community Choir, changing to the more generic Clerkenwell Community Choir in August 2024.
The legal and administrative information set out on page 1 forms part of this report. The Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements of the Charity for the 15 months from 1 June 2023 to 31 August 2024. The Trustees confirm that the Annual report and financial statements of the charity comply with the current statutory requirements, the requirements of the charity's governing document and the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102).
Objectives and activities
a. Principal objects and activities
The objects for which the Charity was established, as defined by its Constitution are to improve, develop and maintain public education through choral music in the community, through rehearsing and giving concerts in London and elsewhere and for exchanges with other musical organisations.
Clerkenwell Community Choir is about the joy of singing, it’s as simple as that. We have built from the firm foundations of the LSO Community Choir to become a thriving independent choir with open access at its heart – anyone is welcome, no audition is necessary. Our charitable aim is to make music together and anyone can get involved and find their voice with us. We love variety, so we perform a wide repertoire from classical to pop via folk, jazz and much more. The Choir is led by musical director Emily Dickens, and accompanied by pianists Elizabeth Burley and Joanna Smith.
We rehearse weekly on Monday evenings in term time, with at least one performance each term, and we take opportunities to sing at community events.
Achievements and performance
a. Going concern
After making appropriate enquiries, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. Further details regarding the adoption of the going concern basis can be found in the accounting policies.
b. Activities and performance
From our start as an Association in January 2023, to development as a Charity during this reported period, we have become well established with a membership of around 65, including a good number of lower voices. We have performed free termly concerts at St Clements Church and the Jewin Welsh Church, until Summer 2024 when we sang at our first ticketed performance at LSO St Lukes, with venue support from LSO. We also performed at Whitecross Street Party in Summer 2023 and the Golden Lane Community Centre Christmas party in December 2023.
c. Staffing and self-employed workers
The Choir is run and supported by volunteers, with no paid staff.
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NEW LONDON COMMUNITY CHOIR working name CLERKENWELL COMMUNITY CHOIR
(A registered charity)
TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE 15 MONTHS ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
Financial review
a. Financial review
Income reached £36,952 in the period, boosted by generous donations from Euromonitor Internatonal of £5,500, which have been designated by the trustees for expenditure to increase membership and to enrich and enhance our performances. Donations also included £3,853 surplus transferred from the St Clements Community Choir Association which ran from January to May 2023, until the Choir was registered as a charity.
We received a restricted grant of £1,000 from the Old Street District Community Pot in July 2024, for increasing local membership and supporting community performances, which will be spent in the 2024-2025 financial year.
Charitable income reached a healthy £24,995 for the period from members’ subscriptions and performance income, which exceeded our charitable expenditure of £22,033 spent on our Music Director, pianist, hall hire, music, marketing and administration.
We spent £447 of the designated funds on our Summer 2024 performance at LSO St Lukes, for marketing and for the Aoli Jazz Duo. This leaves £5,053 of designated funds remaining for the future.
The unrestricted surplus of £8,419 means we have become well established financially, and built up a reasonable pot of reserves after our first 15 months as a charity.
b. Reserves policy
The Directors have examined the Charity’s requirements for reserves in the light of the main risks to the organisation and the reliability of our income sources. The reserves policy was set and reviewed in the period, and trustees agreed that we should hold enough unrestricted reserves at a level equivalent to a term’s expenditure. This level would allow us to weather any variations in finances in the future.
The level of unrestricted funds at the year-end is £8,419, which is the level of expenditure in Summer 2024, and so achieves our reserves policy. However we have been very cautious with expenditure in our first 15 months, and as we develop further it is likely that our costs may increase in the future, particularly for music.
c. Investment policy
Aside from retaining a prudent amount in reserves each year most of the Charity's funds are to be spent in the short term so there are no funds held for long term investment. The policy of the Directors is to invest the amount that it has available and grants received in advance in short-term bank deposits.
d. Public benefit
The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in section 4 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit, ‘Charities and Public Benefit’.
e. Financial management
The Trustees aim to ensure that year-on-year the Charity achieves a balanced budget with sufficient money being set aside as reserves to ensure the Charity is able to keep operating.
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NEW LONDON COMMUNITY CHOIR working name CLERKENWELL COMMUNITY CHOIR
(A registered charity)
TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE 15 MONTHS ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
Structure, governance and management
a. Constitution
The Charity is registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation and was set up under a Constitution on 1 June 2023.
b. Trustees
The members of the Board are the Trustees of the Charity. Those who served during the period and to the date of this report are as follows:
Adam Dale (from 4 March 2024) Elizabeth Patterson (from 1 June 2023 to 22 April 2024) Helen James (from 16 January 2023) Katherine Gardiner, Treasurer and Company Secretary (from 17 April 2023) Kim Caplin (from 16 January 2023 to 21 October 2024) Milan Stamenkovic, Chair (from 16 January 2023) Nick Brittain (from 16 January 2023) Paul Turley (from 4 March 2024) Sandrina Carosso (from 22 April 2024) Tim Kitchin (from 17 April 2023)
c. Governance and Trustee appointment and recruitment
The affairs of the Charity are governed by the Board of Trustees of the Charity, who meet fortnightly in term time. The Board ensures that there is an appropriate strategic plan and that this is being carried out effectively. The day-to-day management is carried out by Trustees or other member volunteers. Board members are appointed from the members, ensuring that there is a balance of skills within the Board.
d. Risk management
The Directors regularly consider the risks to which the charity is exposed, and take necessary action to limit exposure and the impact of significant risks. The Board believe that appropriate structures and reserves are in place to minimise foreseeable risks.
Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees and signed on their behalf by:
................................................ ................................................ Milan Stamenkovic Katherine Gardiner Chair Treasurer Date: 2 May 2025 Date: 2 May 2025
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NEW LONDON COMMUNITY CHOIR working name CLERKENWELL COMMUNITY CHOIR
(A registered charity)
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT FOR THE 15 MONTHS ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
Independent examiner's report to the Trustees of New London Community Choir, working name Clerkenwell Community Choir, Charity registration number 1203359
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (‘the Charity’) for the 15 months ended 31 August 2024, set out on pages 6 to 14.
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 2011 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 which gives me cause to believe that in any material respect:
-
the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
-
the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
-
the accounts did 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.
Signed: Dated: 5 May 2025
Andrew Martyn-Johns FCA East Dundry, Bristol BS41 8NJ
Page 5
NEW LONDON COMMUNITY CHOIR working name CLERKENWELL COMMUNITY CHOIR
(A registered charity)
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCORPORATING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) FOR THE 15 MONTHS ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
| Note Income from: Donations and grants 3 Charitable activities 4 Investments 5 Total income Expenditure on: Charitable activities 6 Total expenditure Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward Net movement in funds Total funds carried forward 10 |
Restricted funds 2024 £ 1,000 - - |
Designated funds 2024 £ 5,500 - - 5,500 |
Unrestricted funds 2024 £ 5,036 24,995 421 |
Total funds 2024 £ 11,536 24,995 421 36,952 22,480 22,480 14,472 - 14,472 14,472 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 | 30,452 | |||
- |
447 |
22,033 |
||
| - | 447 | 22,033 | ||
| 1,000 | 5,053 |
8,419 | ||
- 1,000 |
- 5,053 |
- 8.419 |
||
1,000 |
5,053 |
8,419 |
The Statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
The notes on pages 8 to 14 form part of these financial statements.
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NEW LONDON COMMUNITY CHOIR working name CLERKENWELL COMMUNITY CHOIR
(A registered charity) REGISTERED NUMBER: 1203359
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 AUGUST 2024
| Note Fixed assets Tangible assets Current assets Debtors 8 Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 9 Net current assets Total net assets Charity funds Restricted reserves 10 Designated reserves 10 Unrestricted funds 10 Total funds |
2,316 14,183 |
2024 £ - - 14,472 14,472 1,000 5,053 8,419 14,472 |
|---|---|---|
| 16,499 (2,027) |
||
The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 with respect to accounting records and preparation of financial statements.
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:
................................................ ................................................ Milan Stamenkovic Katherine Gardiner Chair Treasurer Date: 2 May 2025 Date: 2 May 2025
The notes on pages 8 to 14 form part of these financial statements.
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NEW LONDON COMMUNITY CHOIR working name CLERKENWELL COMMUNITY CHOIR
(A registered charity)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE 15 MONTHS ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
1. General information
New London Community Choir, with working name Clerkenwell Community Choir, is incorporated and registered with the Charity Commission in England and Wales (Charity Registered Number 1203359).
In the event of the Charity being wound up, the liability to contribute to the assets of the Charity is limited to £1 per member of the Charity.
The address of the registered office is given in the Charity information on page 1 of these financial statements. The nature of the Charity’s operations and principal activities are detailed in the Trustees’ Report.
2. Accounting policies
2.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) - 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 (FRS 102).
New London Community Choir, with working name Clerkenwell Community Choir, meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.
The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention, modified to include certain items at fair value. The financial statements are presented in sterling which is the functional currency of the Charity and rounded to the nearest pound.
The significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all years presented unless otherwise stated.
2.2 Going concern
The Trustees have assessed the use of going concern and have considered possible events or conditions that might cast significant doubt on the ability of the Charity to continue as a going concern. The Trustees have made this assessment for a period of at least one year from the date of the approval of these financial statements. The Trustees have concluded that there is a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. The Charity therefore continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing these financial statements.
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NEW LONDON COMMUNITY CHOIR working name CLERKENWELL COMMUNITY CHOIR
(A registered charity)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE 15 MONTHS ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
2. Accounting policies (continued)
2.3 Income
All income is recognised once the Charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.
For donations to be recognised the Charity will have been notified of the amounts and the settlement date in writing. If there are conditions attached to the donation and this requires a level of performance before entitlement can be obtained then income is deferred until those conditions are fully met or the fulfillment of those conditions is within the control of the Charity and it is probable that they will be fulfilled.
The Charity receives grants from time to time in respect of furthering its charitable objectives. Income from grants are recognised at fair value when the Charity has entitlement after any performance conditions have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. If entitlement is not met then these amounts are deferred.
Charitable activity income of membership subscriptions and performance income is included in incoming resources in the relevant term or period when the performance takes place.
2.4 Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified by category and is inclusive of any irrecoverable VAT,
2.5 Taxation
The Charity is an exempt charity within the meaning of schedule 3 of the Charities Act 2011 and is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charity, and is considered exempt from income and capital gains tax.
Gift aid is allocated to the same income category as the related income.
Irrecoverable VAT is allocated to the same expenditure category as the related expense.
2.6 Debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
2.7 Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short-term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
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NEW LONDON COMMUNITY CHOIR working name CLERKENWELL COMMUNITY CHOIR
(A registered charity)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE 15 MONTHS ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
2. Accounting policies (continued)
2.8 Liabilities and provisions
Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the Balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably.
Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the Charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide.
2.9 Financial instruments
The Charity only holds basic financial instruments of accrued income, cash at bank and accruals and other creditors. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.
2.10 Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds are funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the Charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.
Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the Charity for particular purposes. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Designated funds are funds which the Trustees have agreed to separate from unrestricted funds to be used for particular purposes. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
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NEW LONDON COMMUNITY CHOIR working name CLERKENWELL COMMUNITY CHOIR
(A registered charity)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE 15 MONTHS ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
3. Income from donations and grants
| Donations Grants Transfer from Association Total donations and grants |
Restricted funds 2024 £ - 1.000 - 1.000 |
Designated funds 2024 £ 5,500 - - 5,500 |
Unrestricted funds 2024 £ 1.183 - 3,853 5,036 |
Total funds 2024 £ 6,683 1,000 3,853 11,536 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
In the period the Charity received generous donations totalling £5,500 from Euromonitor International, where a trustee is an employee. There were no conditions attached to the funding so this is not a related party transaction. The Trustees agreed to set aside these donations and designate them to increase membership and to enrich and enhance our performances. This can include costs of marketing, soloists, musicians and specific music.
The Charity received a restricted grant of £1,000 from the Old Street District Community Pot in July 2024, for increasing local membership and supporting community performances.
The choir operated as an Association in the 5 months from 1 January 2023 until 31 May 2023, after which it became a charity on 1 June 2023. The surplus of the Association from those 5 months of £3,853 was transferred to the Charity on 1 June 2023.
4. Analysis of income from charitable activities by type
| Membership subscriptions Performance income |
2024 £ 23,870 1,125 24,995 |
|---|---|
All income from charitable activities in the period was unrestricted.
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NEW LONDON COMMUNITY CHOIR working name CLERKENWELL COMMUNITY CHOIR
(A registered charity)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE 15 MONTHS ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
5. Investment income
| Bank interest receivable | Unrestricted funds 2024 £ 421 |
Total funds 2024 £ 421 |
|---|---|---|
6. Analysis of expenditure
| Music Director and Pianist Venue hire Music Marketing Administration Total expenditure |
Restricted funds 2024 £ - - - - - - |
Designated funds 2024 £ - - 275 172 - 447 |
Unrestricted funds 2024 £ 16,348 3,400 2,064 87 134 22,033 |
Total funds 2024 £ 16,348 3,400 2,339 259 134 22,480 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
There were no governance costs in the period.
7. Staff costs and Trustees
The Charity had no employees during the period.
The Trustees were not paid or reimbursed for expenses during the period.
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NEW LONDON COMMUNITY CHOIR working name CLERKENWELL COMMUNITY CHOIR
(A registered charity)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE 15 MONTHS ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
8. Debtors
| Due within one year Prepayments and accrued income 9. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year Accruals Deferred income Deferred income movements Deferred income brought forward Resources deferred during the year Amounts released from previous periods Deferred income carried forward |
2024 £ 2,316 2,316 2024 £ 747 1,280 2,027 - 1,280 - 1,280 |
|---|---|
Deferred income relates to membership fees received in advance in the period for the Autumn 2024 term.
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NEW LONDON COMMUNITY CHOIR working name CLERKENWELL COMMUNITY CHOIR
(A registered charity)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE 15 MONTHS ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
10. Statement of Funds
| Restricted funds Designated funds Unrestricted funds Total funds |
Income 2024 £ 1,000 5,500 30,452 36,952 |
Expenditure 2024 £ - 447 22,033 22,480 |
Balance at 31 August 2024 £ 1,000 5,053 8,419 14,472 |
|---|---|---|---|
11. Analysis of net assets between funds
| Current assets Creditors due within one year Total funds |
Restricted funds 2024 £ 1,000 - 1,000 |
Designated funds 2024 £ 5,053 - 5,053 |
Unrestricted funds 2024 £ 10.446 (2,027) 8,419 |
Total funds 2024 £ 16,499 (2,027) 14,472 |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
12. Related party transactions
There were no Related Party transactions in the year.
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