_**Charity no. 1206042**_ ## **Bracknell Choral Society** **Annual Trustees Report and Accounts for the period 1[st] August 2024 to 31[st] July 2025** Bracknell Choral Society Charity number 1206042 |Contents|| |---|---| ||Page| |Legal and Administrative Information|3| |Annual Trustees Report|4| |Independent Examiner’s Report|7| |Receipts and Payments for the Year|8| |Statement of Assets and Liabilities|9| |Accounting Policies and Notes to the Accounts|10| Page 2 of 11 Bracknell Choral Society Charity number 1206042 |Legal and Administrative|Information| |---|---| |Charity Number|1206042| |Registration Date|4thDecember 2023| |Registered Address|42 Jevington| ||Bracknell| ||Berks.| ||RG12 7ZD| |Trustees|Elizabeth A. Lank (Chair)| ||Arne J. Plugge (Treasurer)| ||Margaret R. Fairbrother (Secretary)| ||Stephen D. Potts| ||John C. Steed| |Independent Examiner|Diana Mead| Page 3 of 11 Bracknell Choral Society Charity number 1206042 ## **Annual Trustees Report** The Trustees present their report for the period 1[st] August 2024 to 31[st] July 2025. The Charity took over the activities and net assets of the former Bracknell Choral Society, charity registration number 282753, from 1[st] August 2024. On the same date the older charity was dissolved. The former charity was first established in 1960 and built its membership up to about 100 members by the time it was dissolved in 2024. It held weekly term-time rehearsals and performed several choral concerts a year for the general public, throughout its existence. This new charity continues with the same activities as the previous one, under the new legal structure. The Trustees prepared and submitted dormant accounts for the period from the initial registration of this Charity as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), to 31[st] July 2024. ## Structure, governance and management The Charity was registered in England and Wales with the Charities Commission as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), registration number 1206042, on 4[th] December 2023. It follows the rules and processes described in its CIO Constitution dated December 2023, _Constitution of a Charitable Incorporated Organisation with Voting Members other than its Charity Trustees._ The Trustees listed on page 3 are responsible for the governance and management of the Charity, having regard to the charitable purposes as stated in the governing document. The Trustees have put strategies and policies in place to support the successful operation of the Charity together with financial systems and procedures to mitigate risk. The Trustees meet regularly, both as a group of Trustees and with others from the Society (e.g. a representative from both the Social Committee and the Publicity Committee as well as the Musical Director), to enable the efficient running of the charity. This wider group is referred to as the BCS Committee. The Committee sets an annual budget for events and handles the day-to-day administration of the charity as well as conducting the Annual General Meeting for Members. Potential new Trustees are invited to become Trustees by the existing Committee (via the Chair) and their appointment is confirmed at the AGM, usually held in October of each year, through a membership vote. ## Objectives and Activities The Charity’s Objectives are to advance, improve, develop and maintain public education in, and appreciation of, 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. Page 4 of 11 Bracknell Choral Society Charity number 1206042 During the 2024/25 choral year, we held weekly rehearsals during school term time and organised four concerts, in November 2024, December 2024, March 2025 (in collaboration with Wokingham Choral Society) and July 2025. ## Achievements - Four concerts held, including the joint concert with Wokingham Choral Society (registered charity 274853) at Guildford Cathedral in March 2025, with an audience of close to 500. - Raised £309 for the Ark Trust at our Christmas concert retiring collection and £872 for the Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice at our March concert retiring collection. - 10 new members welcomed, for a total membership of 113 - Chosen as one of three local charities to be supported by Tesco for its Stronger Starts programme, as part of our fundraising efforts. ## Public benefit statement The Trustees have complied with the duty in section 4 of the Charities Act 2006 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission. In pursuing its aims for the public benefit, the choir believes it impacts on people's lives in two ways. First, for members, we involve people in a creative, enjoyable and fulfilling educational activity, providing them with the opportunity to develop vocal techniques and musical repertoire and to enjoy the well-being benefits of being part of a community involved in a common endeavour. Second, for audiences we present high quality performances designed to be satisfying cultural experiences that will both challenge and educate. In addition to the public educational benefits to our members and audiences mentioned above, the Committee is conscious that its activities must be affordable, so concessionary rates are available for audience tickets. We continue to offer a reduced membership subscription for the under 30s and free membership to the under 18s. Any member unable to pay the subscription when it falls due for payment can discuss with the Treasurer an arrangement for easy instalment terms. We undergo fundraising activities to enable us to keep our subscription rates affordable while still putting on high quality concerts with professional soloists and orchestras accompanying us. ## Plans for the Future - Continue regular rehearsals and concerts. - Hold a choral workshop in May 2026 for members who wish to participate. - Seek further grant funding/advertising/sponsorship opportunities in order to keep subscription fees reasonable. Page 5 of 11 Bracknell Choral Society Charity number 1206042 ## Financial Review The accounts for the year 2024-25 show that the Society ended the 2024-25 year with a surplus, which was a significantly better outcome than the budgeted loss of £3,463.97. This was entirely the result of higher-than-expected revenues. On the cost side there were no material differences compared to the 2024-25 budget. The Trustees consider the cash held at year end as sufficient to continue as they exceed £20,000, the minimum level that we consider adequate as part of our Reserves Policy, which is set to ensure we can cover a year’s worth of fixed costs. Receipts include donations from Members of £978, £307 of which has been specifically donated to the Sunshine Fund. ## Declaration The Trustees declare that they have prepared the Trustees' Annual Report, the Receipts and Payments Account and the Statement of Assets and Liabilities in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the governing document. There were no serious incidents that were not reported to the Charity Commission. This report was approved by the Trustees on 16/09/2025 and signed on their behalf by: …………………………… Elizabeth Lank, Chair Page 6 of 11 Bracknell Choral Society Charity number 1206042 ## **Independent Examiner’s report to the Trustees of Bracknell Choral Society** I report to the Trustees on my Examination of the accounts of Bracknell Choral Society (the Society) for the year ended 31[st] July 2025. ## **Responsibilities and basis of report** As the Trustees of the Society 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 Society’s accounts carried out under Section 145 of the Act. 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: i) accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity, as required by Section 130 of the Act; or that ii) the accounts do not agree with those records. 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. Diana Mead FCA DChA (Retired) Date 17/09/2025 Page 7 of 11 Bracknell Choral Society Charity number 1206042 ## **Receipts and Payments Account for the year ended 31[st] July 2025** |Notes
**Receipts**
Subscriptions
Concert ticket sales et al.
Fundraising and Events
Gift Aid
Music sales to Members
Donations
Other Income
Interest Received
**Total Gross Receipts**
**Payments**
Concert orchestras, soloists, conductor
Other concert costs
Fundraising and Events
Rehearsal fees
5
Rehearsal Venue, Zoom
Music and folder purchases
Making Music, website and subs.
Administration and Other
**Total Gross Payments**
**Net Receipts/ (Payments)**
Cash Funds at 1stAugust 2024
**Cash Funds at 31st July 2025**|Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Note 1 iii)
£
£
21,848
12,079
3,427
8,336
2,893
608
370
680
1,070| |---|---| ||**50,941**
**370**| ||5,497
16,965
963
10,857
5,215
2,736
1,476
442
459| ||**44,151**
**459**| ||**6.790**
**(89)**
27,245
2,126| ||**£34,035**
**32,037**| Page 8 of 11 Bracknell Choral Society Charity number 1206042 ## **Statement of Assets and Liabilities** ## **as at 31[st] July 2025** |Unrestricted Restricted**TOTAL**
Funds Funds**FUNDS**
£
£**£**
**Bank and cash**
Current accounts and cash
275
1,487
**1,762**
Savings accounts
33,760
550
**34,310**
34,035
2,037 **36,072**
**Other Current Assets**
Debtors
2,087
-**2,087**
**Liabilities**
Creditors
(767)
-
**(767)**|Unrestricted Restricted**TOTAL**
Funds Funds**FUNDS**
£
£**£**
**Bank and cash**
Current accounts and cash
275
1,487
**1,762**
Savings accounts
33,760
550
**34,310**
34,035
2,037 **36,072**
**Other Current Assets**
Debtors
2,087
-**2,087**
**Liabilities**
Creditors
(767)
-
**(767)**|Unrestricted Restricted**TOTAL**
Funds Funds**FUNDS**
£
£**£**
**Bank and cash**
Current accounts and cash
275
1,487
**1,762**
Savings accounts
33,760
550
**34,310**
34,035
2,037 **36,072**
**Other Current Assets**
Debtors
2,087
-**2,087**
**Liabilities**
Creditors
(767)
-
**(767)**| |---|---|---| ||**36,072**|| ||
|**2,087**| |||**(767)**| Approved by the Trustees on 16/09/2025 and signed on their behalf by …………………. Elizabeth Lank, Chair Page 9 of 11 Bracknell Choral Society Charity number 1206042 ## Notes to the Accounts ## **1. Accounting Policies** ## i) Charity Status The charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation under the Association model set out by the Charity Commission. ## ii) Basis of Accounting The accounts have been prepared using the receipts and payments basis of accounting as permitted by the Charities Act. ## iii) Fund accounting Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the Charity. No funds have been designated for specific 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 costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The Restricted funds held at the year-end are: a) Tours Fund £1,946 This fund is to support choral activities such as residential workshops or tours. Income for the fund is from Members attending these activities. b) Sunshine Fund £91 This fund supports the welfare of Members of the Charity and is used for get well cards, flowers and thank you gifts. Income is derived from Members’ donations. ## iv) Receipts All incoming resources are included in the Receipt and Payment Accounts when the Charity receives the income in cash. ## v) Payments All expenditure is accounted for on a payments basis and is classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. ## **2. Assets and Liabilities** The Charity holds bank accounts at the year-end totalling £36,072, debtors of £2,087 and creditors of £(787). The net assets transferred from the previous charity on 1st August 2024 were cash of £29,371, debtors of £4,104, including Gift Aid of £3,840, and creditors of £(394). Debtors at the year end include prepayments for future events. Creditors are administration costs due for the year that have not yet been paid. ## **3. Member liabilities** The Members of the CIO have no liability to contribute to its assets and no personal responsibility for settling its debts and liabilities. Page 10 of 11 Bracknell Choral Society Charity number 1206042 ## **4. Related Parties** Controlling entity The charity is controlled by the Trustees. No Trustees received emoluments during the year. This year two Trustees were reimbursed for monies spent on behalf of BCS of £306 in total. ## **5. Employees** The charity does not have any employees. Rehearsal fees relate to the services provided by the Musical Director and Accompanist throughout the year for weekly rehearsals. Concert fees paid to the Musical Director, Accompanist and other participating professional are included in concert costs. ## **6. Other Policies** Data Protection and other policies are available on the Charity website: www.bracknellchoral.org.uk. Page 11 of 11