REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1207090
Report of the Trustees and
Financial Statements
for the Year Ended 31 December 2025
for County Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society
County Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society
Contents of the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2025
| Page | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Report of the Trustees | 1 | to | 3 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 4 | ||
| Statement of Financial Activities | 5 | ||
| Balance Sheet | 6 | ||
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 7 | to | 9 |
County Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society
Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 December 2025
The Trustees are pleased to present their annual report, together with the financial statements, for the year ended 31 December 2025. This year marked a significant milestone for CAODS as we enjoyed our 75th anniversary and our first full year with registered charity status.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Objectives and aims
Our core purpose is to advance the arts, particularly theatrical performance, and to promote community engagement through cultural and educational activities. We aim to inspire creativity, foster a sense of community, and contribute positively to the mental health and well-being of our members and audiences.
Public benefit
In planning and delivering our activities, the Trustees confirm that we have complied with the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
Charitable activities
2025 has been a year of growth and exciting plans, with several highlights:
1. Productions and Performances
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We welcomed in a new chair and new trustees who have helped to support and develop CAODS in new and exciting ways.
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Our choir has continued to grow, performing at notable events, including with Tom Ball at the NTR in May and the Christmas Light Switch-On in Lincoln.
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We produced an absolutely show stopping show in November with Annie. Receiving incredible reviews and fantastic audience numbers.
2. Charity Milestone
Becoming a registered charity in February 2024 was a proud moment, which has enabled us to access new funding streams this year. We were very pleased to have received a grant from The Dawber Trust, as well as setting up JustGiving and other online forms of fundraising.
3. Community Engagement
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Our productions and events were supported by many volunteers, who contributed their time and talents to roles
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ranging from backstage support to front-of-house operations.
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We maintained strong partnerships with local organisations, including Lincoln Bishop University, St John's Church and
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Burton Road Methodist Church, to foster creativity and support local talent.
4. Fundraising and Financial Stability
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For Annie we launched a special prize draw, offering unique prizes donated by local businesses and supporters. This
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initiative was a resounding success, both financially and in raising our profile.
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We continue to rely on the generosity of donors and members to sustain our activities.
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A dedicated team, led by trustee Maria Sands, is actively exploring opportunities to apply for specific funding to support the society's future. In addition, we are seeking sponsorships and donations from generous supporters to help ensure CAODS remains financially stable and continues to thrive.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Reserves policy
The trustees of CAODS Lincoln have established a reserves policy to ensure the long-term financial stability of the charity and to protect the continuity of its operations in the event of unexpected financial difficulties or funding shortfalls. The policy recognises the need to hold sufficient unrestricted reserves to:
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Maintain essential activities in the event of a significant drop in income
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Cover contractual and unavoidable operational commitments
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Fund future development projects and meet strategic objectives
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Allow time to secure new funding streams or adjust expenditure if needed
As of the financial year ending 31 December 2025, the trustees have agreed that an appropriate level of free reserves should be equivalent to 3 to 6 months of core operational expenditure, which currently equates to approximately £9,751 to £19,502, based on average costs over the last six months. This level is considered sufficient to cover ongoing costs such as venue hire, production expenses, insurance, and other essential outgoings, while enabling the charity to respond to unforeseen events or opportunities. Reserves held above this target range may be allocated to designated projects or used to invest in the charity’s future sustainability and growth, in line with its charitable objectives. The amount of free reserves at the end of the reporting period was £13,641. The trustees review the reserves policy annually as part of the budgeting process and in response to any significant changes in the charity’s income, expenditure, or risk profile.
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County Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society
Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 December 2025
FINANCIAL REVIEW FUTURE PLANS
Looking ahead to 2026, our focus will be on:
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Delivering an exciting production of of Come From Away.
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Celebrating our 75th Anniversary with showcase concerts of CAODS favourites.
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A series of fantastic workshops to boost engagement and what we offer to the community.
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Expanding our choir's activities to reach new audiences including the following events:
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4th April - Bracebridge Heath for St Barnabas
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26th November - Christmas Light Switch On
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Strengthening our financial position through fundraising and grant applications.
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Continuing to enhance our community impact and engagement.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust and constitutes an unincorporated charity.
Recruitment and appointment of new trustees
At every annual general meeting of the members of the CIO, one third of the charity trustees shall retire from office. The charity trustees to retire by rotation shall be those who have been longest in office since their last appointment or reappointment. The vacancies so arising may be filled by the decision of the members at the annual general meeting. The members or the charity trustees may at any time decide to appoint a new charity trustee, whether in place of a charity trustee who has retired or been removed or as an additional charity trustee.
Organisational structure
The charity is governed by a board of trustees, who are responsible for its strategic direction and oversight. The trustees ensure the smooth running of day-to-day activities. We are grateful for the contributions of all who have supported our work this year.
Acknowledgments
The Trustees extend their heartfelt thanks to all members, volunteers, donors, and audiences for their continued support. We are grateful for the contributions of all who have supported our work this year. Together, we look forward to building on the successes of 2025 as we advance the arts and enrich the community.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Charity number
1207090
Principal address
210 Long Leys Road Lincoln Lincolnshire LN1 1EQ
Trustees
D Bussey E Novell (Chair) M Housley-Smith (resigned 31.12.25) D Hammond P Merrick L Hawbrook K Fenn P Hawbrook (Treasurer) M Sands (appointed 31.3.25) E Lowe (appointed 31.3.25) J Crowther (appointed 31.3.25) K Phoenix (appointed 31.3.25) (resigned 19.1.26)
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County Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society
Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 December 2025
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Independent Examiner
Steve Robinson ACA Nicholsons Chartered Accountants Newland House The Point Weaver Road LINCOLN Lincolnshire LN6 3QN
Approved by order of the board of trustees on 24 July 2026 and signed on its behalf by:
E Novell (Chair) - Trustee
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Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of County Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of County Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of County Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society (the Trust) for the year ended 31 December 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Trust 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 Trust's accounts carried out under Section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all 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:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by Section 130 of the Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do 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.
Steve Robinson ACA
Nicholsons Chartered Accountants Newland House The Point Weaver Road LINCOLN Lincolnshire LN6 3QN
28 July 2026
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County Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society
Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 December 2025
| Unrestricted fund Notes £ INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies 2,828 Charitable activities Production 69,748 Other trading activities 2 12,697 Total 85,273 EXPENDITURE ON Charitable activities Production 75,937 NET INCOME 9,336 RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 3,885 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 13,221 |
Period 19.2.24 Year Ended to 31.12.25 31.12.24 Restricted Total Total funds funds funds £ £ £ - 2,828 29,008 - 69,748 - - 12,697 118,691 - 85,273 147,699 - 75,937 145,560 - 9,336 2,139 - 3,885 1,746 - 13,221 3,885 |
Period 19.2.24 Year Ended to 31.12.25 31.12.24 Restricted Total Total funds funds funds £ £ £ - 2,828 29,008 - 69,748 - - 12,697 118,691 - 85,273 147,699 - 75,937 145,560 - 9,336 2,139 - 3,885 1,746 - 13,221 3,885 |
|---|---|---|
| 147,699 | ||
| 145,560 | ||
| 2,139 1,746 |
||
| 3,885 |
The notes form part of these financial statements
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County Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society
Balance Sheet 31 December 2025
| Unrestricted Restricted fund funds Notes £ £ CURRENT ASSETS Cash at bank and in hand 16,294 - CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year 6 (3,073) - NET CURRENT ASSETS 13,221 - TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 13,221 - NET ASSETS 13,221 - FUNDS 7 Unrestricted funds TOTAL FUNDS |
2025 Total funds £ 16,294 (3,073) 13,221 13,221 13,221 13,221 13,221 |
2024 Total funds £ 5,885 (2,000) 3,885 3,885 3,885 3,885 3,885 |
|---|---|---|
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 24 July 2026 and were signed on its behalf by:
E Novell (Chair) - Trustee
P Hawbrook (Treasurer) - Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
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County Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society
Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2025
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparing the financial statements
The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, 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) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
Income
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
Expenditure
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, 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 accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Taxation
The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
2. OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES
| Year Ended 31.12.25 £ Shop income 6,127 Admissions - Subscriptions 6,570 12,697 3. SUPPORT COSTS Governance Finance costs £ £ Production 1,963 4,302 |
Period 19.2.24 to 31.12.24 £ 9,767 105,169 3,755 |
|---|---|
| 118,691 | |
| Totals £ 6,265 |
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continued...
County Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the year ended 31 December 2025
4. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 December 2025 nor for the period ended 31 December 2024.
Trustees' expenses
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 December 2025 nor for the period ended 31 December 2024.
5. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
| Unrestricted Restricted Total fund funds funds £ £ £ INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies 29,008 - 29,008 Other trading activities 118,691 - 118,691 Total 147,699 - 147,699 EXPENDITURE ON Charitable activities Production 145,560 - 145,560 NET INCOME 2,139 - 2,139 RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 1,746 - 1,746 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 3,885 - 3,885 6. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 2025 2024 £ £ Trade creditors 1 - Other creditors 3,072 2,000 3,073 2,000 7. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS Net movement At At 1.1.25 in funds 31.12.25 £ £ £ Unrestricted funds General fund 3,885 9,336 13,221 TOTAL FUNDS 3,885 9,336 13,221 |
Total funds £ 29,008 118,691 |
|
|---|---|---|
| 147,699 | ||
| 145,560 | ||
| 2,139 1,746 |
||
| 3,885 |
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continued...
County Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the year ended 31 December 2025
7. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Incoming | Resources | Movement | |
|---|---|---|---|
| resources | expended | in funds | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Unrestricted funds | |||
| General fund | 85,273 | (75,937) | 9,336 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 85,273 | (75,937) | 9,336 |
Comparatives for movement in funds
| At 19.2.24 £ Unrestricted funds General fund 1,746 TOTAL FUNDS 1,746 Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: Incoming resources £ Unrestricted funds General fund 147,699 TOTAL FUNDS 147,699 |
Net movement At in funds 31.12.24 £ £ 2,139 3,885 2,139 3,885 Resources Movement expended in funds £ £ (145,560) 2,139 (145,560) 2,139 |
Net movement At in funds 31.12.24 £ £ 2,139 3,885 2,139 3,885 Resources Movement expended in funds £ £ (145,560) 2,139 (145,560) 2,139 |
|---|---|---|
| 2,139 |
8. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 December 2025.
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