Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire Music Centre | Annual Report 2024-2025
ANNUAL REPORT AND PUBLIC BENEFIT STATEMENT
For the period 1 September 2024 to 31 August 2025
Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire Music Centre (CNEDMC) Registered charity number: 1206024
1. Reference and administrative information
| 1. Reference and administrative information | |
|---|---|
| Charity name | Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire Music Centre |
| Working name | CNEDMC |
| Registered charity number | 1206024 |
| Charity structure | Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), Foundation Model |
| Governing document | CIO Foundation Model Constitution dated 21 November 2023 |
| Principal address / registered contact address | Fawbert Adams Ltd, 43 Clarence Road, Chesterfield, S40 1LQ |
| Website and email | www.cnedmc.co.uk |
| Area of operation | Chesterfield, North East Derbyshire and the wider Derbyshire area |
| Bankers | The Co-operative Bank |
| Independent examiner | Fawbert Adams Chartered Accountants (pro bono independent examination/support, subject to final examiner confirmation) |
Trustees during the reporting period
| Trustee | Role / office | Appointment information |
|---|---|---|
| Helen Ruth Frith | Chair | Appointed 21 November 2023 |
| Ian Smith | Secretary / Trustee | Appointed 21 November 2023 |
| Victoria Hazel Barber | Treasurer / Trustee | Appointed 21 November 2023 |
| Alison Rosemary Sweet | Trustee | Appointed 21 November 2023 |
| Helen Harris-Ellis | Trustee | Appointed 21 November 2023 |
| Tricia Trenoweth | Trustee | Appointed 16 May 2025 |
| Mark Robert Sweet | Trustee | Appointed 16 May 2025 |
2. Structure, governance and management
CNEDMC is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation governed by its Foundation Model constitution dated 21 November 2023. The trustees are responsible for the overall control, strategic direction, management and administration of the charity on behalf of its beneficiaries. Trustees are appointed in accordance with the constitution. Additional trustees may be appointed where the trustee board considers that their skills, experience and availability will strengthen the charity and further its charitable purposes.
The trustee board oversees finance, safeguarding, risk management, policies, venue arrangements, insurance, recruitment and the development of the ensemble programme. Day-to-day musical activity is delivered through the Directors of Music, ensemble directors, tutors and volunteers. The charity is supported by parents, carers and other volunteers, all of whom contribute significantly to the running of weekly rehearsals, concerts and events.
Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire Music Centre | Annual Report 2024-2025
Trustees give their time freely and receive no remuneration or private benefit from the charity. Reimbursement of properly incurred expenses, if any, is made only in accordance with the charity’s policies and the governing document.
Risk management and internal controls
The trustees have considered the major risks to which the charity is exposed and keep the charity’s principal risks and controls under review. The trustee board seeks to ensure that all activities are undertaken in accordance with the charity’s objects, governing document and policies.
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Safeguarding is a standing priority. Trustees, ensemble directors and relevant volunteers are expected to hold appropriate enhanced DBS checks, and the charity maintains public-facing safeguarding information and a dedicated safeguarding contact.
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Ensemble directors and tutors are qualified and experienced musicians. Training for relevant roles includes safeguarding, health and safety, fire warden responsibilities and first aid, as required.
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Risk assessments are completed for regular rehearsals, concerts, events and other activities, and are reviewed annually or more frequently where the trustees consider this necessary.
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The charity maintains public liability insurance and reviews insurance, venue and equipment arrangements as part of its ongoing governance.
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Financial controls include trustee oversight of income and expenditure, use of charity bank accounts, independent examination of the annual accounts where required, and regular review of the charity’s reserves and forward commitments.
3. Objectives and activities
The charity’s purposes are to provide, maintain, improve and advance ensemble music-making opportunities for young people and others across Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire. Its objectives are aligned with the National Plan for Music Education and focus on accessible, high-quality, diverse and sustainable musical experiences.
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developing sustainable, high-quality, diverse and accessible musical experiences so that children and young people in Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire can experience making music and, where they wish, continue to develop their skills;
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enhancing the education, life experiences and self-confidence of children and young people through music within and beyond school;
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working with partners to promote a varied range of music opportunities for children and young people;
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providing enjoyable, attractive and progressive ensemble opportunities that support musicians from beginner level to advanced standards.
CNEDMC’s main activities during the year were weekly ensemble rehearsals, beginner and progression routes, public performances, community events, partnership activity with Derbyshire Music Hub and other local organisations, instrument support, bursaries and subsidised opportunities for those who might otherwise face barriers to participation.
Public benefit statement
The trustees confirm that they have had due regard to the Charity Commission’s public benefit guidance when planning and reviewing the charity’s activities. The trustees consider that the charity’s work provides public benefit under the charitable purposes of advancing education and advancing citizenship or community development.
Public benefit is delivered by giving children and young people access to regular ensemble music-making, specialist musical guidance, public performance opportunities and a supportive community. Participation helps beneficiaries develop musical skill, discipline, confidence, teamwork, listening, creativity and wider personal development. The charity’s activities also benefit the wider community by providing concerts, performances and
Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire Music Centre | Annual Report 2024-2025
community events that showcase young musicians and promote cultural life in Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire.
The charity is committed to accessibility. Fees are set and reviewed with affordability in mind; bursaries, fee support and instrument loans are used to reduce barriers for families; and the programme is designed to include children and young people at different stages of musical development. Where fees are charged, the trustees seek to ensure that inability to pay does not prevent participation wherever funds and resources allow.
4. Achievements and performance during 2024-2025
The 2024-2025 year was the charity’s first full academic year of operation following its establishment in November 2023 and the start of musical operations in January 2024. The charity continued the legacy of the former North East Derbyshire Music Centre while developing a sustainable, independently governed CIO model.
Ensemble programme and participation
During the year the charity provided a broad weekly programme of ensemble music-making. The core Saturday morning programme included String Orchestra, Concert Band, Festival Band, Chamber Orchestra, Folk Group, Brass Fusion, Clarinet Choir and Flute Choir. Beginner and progression routes supported early-stage musicians and encouraged continuity from school and hub-based instrumental learning into regular ensemble participation.
The programme welcomed children and young people of different ages, instruments and abilities. It supported progression from beginner and lower-grade groups into more advanced ensembles, while also giving older and more experienced players opportunities to develop leadership, confidence and performance skills.
Participant numbers continued to grow. The previous report recorded that the charity had increased participant numbers after musical operations began in January 2024 and that regular attendance had reached approximately 135 by May 2025. The trustees regard this as evidence of strong demand for accessible local ensemble provision and of the value placed on the Music Centre by families, schools and the wider community.
Concerts, events and community engagement
Public performance and community engagement were central to the charity’s work. Ensembles performed at concerts and local events, helping young musicians experience the discipline, excitement and confidence-building effect of performing to an audience.
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Festival Band took part in the Music for Youth Regional Festival in Doncaster on 1 March 2025.
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The charity returned permanently to Outwood Academy Newbold in April 2025, providing a larger and more suitable base for the expanding programme.
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Ensembles contributed to concerts and community events including performances at All Saints Ashover, Queen’s Park Bandstand, Chesterfield Library and the Senior Summer Recital at the Crooked Spire.
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A CNEDMC Community Music Weekend celebrated local talent and strengthened the charity’s profile within the community.
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The charity continued to work with Derbyshire Music Hub and other local partners to promote joined-up musical opportunities.
Accessibility, inclusion and support
The trustees continued to prioritise affordability and inclusion. Donations and reserves enabled the charity to offer fee assistance, bursaries and subsidised opportunities. Rare and less commonly played instruments were promoted through part-funded learning opportunities, supporting musical diversity and strengthening ensemble balance.
Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire Music Centre | Annual Report 2024-2025
Instrument loans continued to be developed using instruments donated by the former North East Derbyshire Music Centre and other supporters. Many instruments required servicing or repair, and the trustees continued to allocate funds to make instruments suitable for loan where this would help students participate.
Volunteers and staff support
The charity’s achievements depended heavily on the time and commitment of trustees, tutors, ensemble directors, parents, carers and volunteers. Volunteers supported weekly rehearsals, concerts, events, fundraising, tuck shop activity, logistics and administration. The trustees are grateful for this contribution, which increases the charity’s capacity and helps keep participation affordable.
5. Financial review
The figures below are drawn from the charity’s receipts and payments accounts for the 2024-2025 period. The trustees should confirm these figures against the final signed accounts before approval and filing.
| Summary | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total receipts | £65,889 |
| Total payments | £42,735 |
| Net receipts over payments | £23,154 |
| Cash funds at year end | £31,323 |
Receipts
| Source of receipts | Amount |
|---|---|
| Membership subscriptions | £19,360 |
| Donations | £36,740 |
| Gift Aid | £3,685 |
| Tuck shop / petty cash | £2,000 |
| Raffle | £1,185 |
| Concert ticket sales | £2,795 |
| Easyfundraising | £19 |
| Other income | £106 |
| Total receipts | £65,889 |
Payments
| Category of payments | Amount |
|---|---|
| Ensemble / directors’ fees | £18,979 |
| Venue hire | £16,842 |
| Music and instruments | £3,123 |
| Tuck shop stock | £1,697 |
| Print and stationery | £1,443 |
| Adverts and fundraising | £197 |
| Insurance | £318 |
| Training, health and safety, fire and first aid kit | £136 |
| Total payments | £42,735 |
Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire Music Centre | Annual Report 2024-2025
Income in the year was significantly supported by donations. The trustees are grateful to donors, parents, carers and community supporters whose generosity enabled the charity to strengthen its reserves, support new activity, subsidise participation, maintain instruments and provide assistance to families who might otherwise be unable to take part.
The principal areas of expenditure were ensemble/director fees and venue hire, reflecting the charity’s core purpose of providing regular, high-quality ensemble music-making in suitable rehearsal spaces. Other expenditure supported instruments, music, insurance, training, events, printing, fundraising and tuck shop activity.
Reserves policy and going concern
The trustees seek to hold sufficient unrestricted reserves to protect the continuity of weekly ensemble activity, meet known commitments, cover fluctuations in income, and allow a managed response to changes in grant funding, venue costs, participation levels or unexpected expenditure. In setting reserves, the trustees consider core running costs such as ensemble/director fees, venue hire, insurance, safeguarding and essential administration.
At the year end the charity held cash funds of £21,323. The trustees consider this level of reserves appropriate for a young charity in its first full year of operation, given the need to manage a growing programme, maintain affordability, service and repair instruments, and plan for future reductions or uncertainty in grant and donation income. The reserves policy will be reviewed annually as the charity’s activity and income patterns mature.
Funds and assets
The accounts show all funds as unrestricted for the reporting period, with no restricted funds or endowment funds recorded. The charity retained instruments and equipment for use in delivering its charitable purposes. A register of loaned and retained instruments should continue to be maintained and reviewed as part of the charity’s asset controls.
6. Plans for the future
The trustees intend to continue developing a sustainable, inclusive and high-quality Music Centre for Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire. Priorities for the next period include:
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maintaining and growing student participation across beginner, intermediate and advanced ensembles;
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strengthening progression routes from school-based and hub-based instrumental learning into regular ensemble activity;
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continuing to use bursaries, fee support and instrument loans to reduce barriers to participation;
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developing the permanent base at Outwood Academy Newbold and ensuring that venue arrangements support safe growth;
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expanding partnership work with Derbyshire Music Hub, schools, local venues and community organisations;
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● supporting rare and less commonly played instruments where this enhances musical opportunities and ensemble balance;
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reviewing fees, fundraising and grant opportunities to maintain financial sustainability without compromising accessibility;
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continuing trustee and volunteer development, policy review and safeguarding oversight.
7. Trustees’ responsibilities and approval
The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees’ annual report and accounts in accordance with applicable charity law and Charity Commission requirements. The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records, safeguarding the charity’s assets, taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities, and ensuring that the charity applies its resources in furtherance of its charitable purposes.
Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire Music Centre | Annual Report 2024-2025
The trustees declare that they have approved this Annual Report and Public Benefit Statement.
|Signed on behalf of the trustees|Victoria H Barber | Helen Frith| |---|---| |Full name|Victoria Hazel Barber | Helen Frith| |Position|Treasurer/Trustee | Chair of Trustees| |Date|17 June 2026| |||
Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire Music Centre 1206024 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the period Sept-24 Aug-25 To from
| Section A Receipts and payments | Section A Receipts and payments | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ - 19,360 36,740 - 3,685 2,000 1,185 2,795 19 106 65,889 - - - 65,889 136 1,443 3,123 16,842 197 318 18,979 1,697 42,735 |
Restricted funds to the nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
Endowment funds to the nearest £ |
Total funds to the nearest £ - 19,360 36,740 - 3,685 2,000 1,185 2,795 19 106 65,889 - - - 65,889 136 1,443 3,123 16,842 197 318 18,979 1,697 - 42,735 |
Last year to the nearest £ |
|
| A1 Receipts | |||||
| **Donations, Legacies, and similar income ** | - | - | - | - | |
| Membership Subscriptions | 19,360 | - | 19,360 | - | |
| Donations | 36,740 | - | 36,740 | - | |
| Grants (Links CVS & DCC) | - | - | - | - | |
| Gift Aid | 3,685 | - | 3,685 | - | |
| Petty Cash/Tuck Shop | 2,000 | - | 2,000 | - | |
| Raffle | 1,185 | - | 1,185 | - | |
| Concert Ticket Sales | 2,795 | - | 2,795 | - | |
| Easyfundraising | 19 | - | 19 | - | |
| Other | 106 | - - |
106 | - | |
| Sub total(Gross income for AR) | 65,889 |
65,889 | - | ||
| A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). |
|||||
| - | - | - | |||
| - | - - |
- | - | ||
| Sub total | - | - | - | ||
| Total receipts | |||||
| - | 65,889 | - | |||
| A3 Payments | |||||
| Training fees (Fire, H&S etc) & Insurance & FA kit |
136 |
- | - | 136 | - |
| Print & Stationery | 1,443 | - | - | 1,443 | - |
| Music & Instruments | 3,123 | - | - | 3,123 | - |
| Venue Hire | 16,842 | - | - | 16,842 | - |
| Adverts & Fundraising | 197 | - | - | 197 | - |
| Insurance | 318 | - | - | 318 | - |
| Ensemble/Directors Fees | 18,979 | - | - | 18,979 | - |
| Tuck Shopstock | 1,697 | - | - | 1,697 | - |
| - | - - |
- | - | ||
| **Sub total ** | 42,735 | - | 42,735 | - |
| A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) |
- - - - - |
- - - - - |
- - - 42,735 23,154 |
- - - 42,735 23,154 |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - | ||||||
| - | - - |
- | ||||||
| **Sub total ** | - | - | - | |||||
| Total payments Net of receipts/(payments) |
||||||||
| - | 42,735 | - | ||||||
| 23,154 | - | - | 23,154 | - | ||||
| A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end |
- | - | - | - | - | |||
| 21,323 | - | - | 21,323 | - | ||||
| Cash funds this year end | 44,477 | - | - | 44,477 | - |
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
| Categories | Bank savings account Details Bank current account |
Unrestricted funds to nearest £ |
Restricted funds to nearest £ - - - |
Endowment funds to nearest £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B1 Cash funds | Bank current account | 9,411 | - | - |
| Bank savings account | 35,066 | - | - | |
| - | - | - |
16/06/2026
CCXX R1 accounts (SS)
1
| Details Details Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Details Details Signature |
44,477 | |
|---|---|---|
| B2 Other monetary assets | ||
| B3 Investment assets | ||
| B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use |
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| B5 Liabilities | ||
| Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees |
||
16/06/2026
CCXX R2 accounts (SS)
2
Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report
| Report to the trustees/ members of On accounts for the year ended Set out on pages |
Charity Name CHESTERFIELD AND NORTH EAST DERBYSHIRE MUSIC CENTRE |
Charity Name CHESTERFIELD AND NORTH EAST DERBYSHIRE MUSIC CENTRE |
Charity Name CHESTERFIELD AND NORTH EAST DERBYSHIRE MUSIC CENTRE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 AUGUST 2025 | Charity no (if any) |
1206024 | |
| ONE AND TWO OF THE ACCOUNTS (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets) |
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I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended DD / MM / YYYY .
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Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention (other than that disclosed below *) in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
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the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
- Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply.
Signed: Date: Name: MR ANTONY KEITH FAWBERT FOR FAWBERT ADAMS LIMITED Relevant professional INSTITUTE OF CHATERED ACCOUNTANTS IN ENGLAND AND WALES qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: 43 CLARENCE ROAD CHESTERFIELD S40 1LQ
October 2018
1
IER
Section B Disclosure
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).
Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .
NOT APPLICABLE
October 2018
2
IER