## **Arun Choral Society Charity registration number: 1210146 Trustees’ Annual Report for the period ended 31st May 2025** ## **Objectives and Activities:** Arun Choral Society was founded in 1912. Its objects are to promote, improve, develop and maintain public education in, and appreciation of, the art and science of music in all its aspects by the presentation of public concerts and recitals, and by such other ways as the Society, through its Committee, shall determine from time to time. The Society fulfils its objects by organising weekly rehearsals of choral works for members led by Musical Director, Dr Joe Paxton, PhD, MMus, BA (Hons), and Accompanist, David Moore, MA, FRCO culminating in public performances in Arundel Cathedral and other local venues. The trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. ## **Achievements and Performance:** At the period end the Society had 134 members, an increase from the 125 of its predecessor charity, Arun Choral Society registered charity number 287239, at 31st May 2024. We are pleased to welcome new members to all the voice sections. The Society was able to perform three full concerts, two in Arundel Cathedral and one at Worthing Assembly Hall during the period as follows: - December 2024 ~ 2 Christmas concerts, one involving 5 local schools and approximately 150 children and one solely by the Society. Both were extremely well attended. - April 2025 ~ Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana (Worthing Assembly Hall) This event was a collaboration with West Sussex Music which gave young singers and musicians the opportunity to perform with adult musicians and choir. All the concerts have attracted good audience numbers. The Society has used more social media to advertise and promote the concerts and online ticket sales continue to increase. The Society's members also undertook the following activities during this period: - We were invited to sing carols at a local Care Home. - We also sang carols at Castle Goring at a promotional event. - Carols were also sung at the Black Horse in Climping on Christmas Eve. - We were invited to sing carols at Petworth House, and approximately 25 members - braved the cold to do so. - We enjoyed a Bring and Share Food social event at our last rehearsal before - Christmas. - There were also 2 New Members’ Evenings during this period. ## **Financial Review:** The assets and liabilities of the Arun Choral Society registered charity number 287239 totalling £50,792 were transferred to the society on 30th November 2024 in accordance with a resolution of the members of the former society at an Extraordinary General Meeting on 18th November 2024.The society incurred a deficit on its spring 2025 concert but achieved a surplus on its Christmas concerts. The society achieved an overall surplus of £51,409 for the period including the above noted donation. The society held reserves of £45,849 at the period end. The trustees seek to maintain a minimum cash reserve, broadly equating to six months of non-performance expenditure. Although the reserves held are in excess of the minimum cash reserve, the society continues to attract new members, resulting in a possible relocation to a larger rehearsal venue becoming necessary in the future. Any such move is likely to significantly increase the society's level of non-performance expenditure. The trustees therefore consider it appropriate to maintain this level of reserves at the present time. ## **Structure, Governance and Management:** The society is a charitable incorporated organisation, and its activities are conducted under its Constitution and Rules dated 20th September 2024. The society's trustees are elected by its 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. ## **Reference and Administrative Details:** The Society’s principal address is: 6 Woodland Close, Clapham, Worthing, West Sussex, BN13 3XR. The charity trustees who manage the charity are as follows: Maggie Somerset (Chair) Hilary Charlton (Vice Chair) Alan Jackson (Secretary) Richard Cooper (Treasurer) Anne Hibbert (Librarian) Juliet Robinson (Schools’ Co-ordinator, Music Committee) Hedda Wells (Concert Manager, Music Committee) Other non-trustee committee members Jean Buck – (Assistant Librarian) Judith Cartwright (Stage Manager) David King – (Publicity, Programme, Website) Elizabeth Marks – (Risk Assessments) Dee Tilbury (Membership Secretary) Stephanie Pountney – resigned 15th March 2025 (Advertising and Marketing) ## **Declaration:** The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above. Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees Alan Jackson Arun Choral Society Secretary Date: 25th June 2025 **Arun Choral Society** ## **Charity number 1210146** ## **Notes to the accounts** ## **1 Basis of preparation** ## **1.1 Basis of accounting** These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant notes to these accounts. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the second edition of the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011. The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. ## **2 Accounting policies** ## 2.1 Income Income is included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA) when: - the charity becomes entitled to the resources; - it is more likely than not that the trustees will receive the resources; and - the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability. There has been no offsetting of assets and liabilities, or income and expenses, unless required or permitted by the FRS 102 SORP or FRS 102. Gift Aid receivable is included in income when there is a valid declaration from the donor. Any Gift Aid amount recovered on a donation is considered to be part of that gift and is treated as an addition to the same fund as the initial donation unless the donor or the terms of the appeal have specified otherwise. The value of any voluntary help received is not included in the accounts but is described in the trustees’ annual report. Membership subscriptions received in the nature of a gift are recognised in Donations and Legacies. ## 2.2. Expenditure and liabilities Liabilities are recognised where it is more likely than not that there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources and the amount of the obligation can be measured with reasonable certainty. Governance costs comprise all costs involving public accountability of the charity and its compliance with regulation and good practice. Income and expenditure in respect of concerts after the balance sheet date and patrons' subscriptions received in advance are deferred in the accounts. All deferred amounts are released to the SoFA in the following accounting period. The charity has creditors which are measured at settlement amounts less any trade discounts. ## 2.3 Assets Tangible fixed assets for use by the charity are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year, and cost at least £100. They are valued at cost. The depreciation rates and methods used are disclosed in note 5. Stocks are measured at the lower of cost or net realisable value. ## **3 Analysis of income** |Donations and legacies:
Donations and gifts
Gift Aid
Total
General grants provided by other
charities
Membership subscriptions which
are in substance donations|Total funds
£
£
£
45,140
5,652
50,792
8,965
8,965
1,527
1,527
166
421
587
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
income funds
-
-| |---|---| ||54,271
7,600
61,871| Charitable activities: |Ticket sales
Sale and hire of music
Patrons' concert allocation
Total
Other trading activities:
Fundraising
Advertising in programmes
Hire of equipment
Patrons' subscriptions
Total
Income from investments:
Interest income
Total
Total income|12,133
12,133
1,573
1,573
464
464
-
-
-| |---|---| ||14,170
14,170
-| ||2,430
2,430
1,037
1,037
471
471
295
295
-
-
-
-| ||1,803
2,430
4,233| ||1,017
1,017
-| ||1,017
1,017
-| ||| ||71,261
10,030
81,291| ## **General grants provided by other charities** The assets and liabilities of Arun Choral Society registered charity number 287239 were transferred to the CIO, Arun Choral Society registered charity number 1210146, on 30[th] November 2024 in accordance with a resolution of the members of the former society at an EGM on 18th November 2024. ## **4 Analysis of expenditure** |Expenditure on raising funds:
Staging fundraising events
Total expenditure on raising funds
Expenditure on charitable
activities:
Concert expenses
Music officers and accompanists
Performers
Music purchase and hire
Rehearsal expenses
Concert printing and publicity
Subscriptions and fees
Insurance
Depreciation
Internet services
Charitable grants
Independent examiner fee
Miscellaneous
Postage and telephone
Stationery and printing
Total expenditure on charitable
activities
Total expenditure|Total funds
£
£
£
748
748
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
income funds
-| |---|---| ||748
748
-| ||13,638
13,638
7,348
7,348
2,227
2,227
1,662
1,662
1,605
1,605
1,189
1,189
441
441
289
289
228
228
184
184
142
142
80
80
67
67
29
29
5
5
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-| ||29,134
29,134
-| ||| ||29,134
748
29,882| ## **5 Tangible fixed assets** |**5 Tangible fixed assets**|| |---|---| |Cost
At end of the period
Depreciation
Charge for period
Transfer from Arun Choral Society
(note 3)
Transfer from Arun Choral Society
(note 3)|£
7,029
Fixtures,
fittings and
equipment| ||7,029| ||2,692
228| At end of the period 2,920 4,109 Net book value At the end of the period Depreciation is charged at 10% on the reducing balance basis. No depreciation is charged on assets not brought into use by the balance sheet date. ## **6 Stocks** |Sundry stock
**7 Debtors and prepayments**
Prepayments and accrued income
Gift Aid
Total
**8 Cash at bank and in hand**
CAF Cash account
CAF Gold account
Petty cash
United Trust Bank 100 day
Accruals and deferred income
Other creditors
Total
Total
**9 Creditors and accruals**|This period
£
2,482
This period
£
2,426
587
3,013
This period
£
1,609
10
45,654
47,273
This period
£
3,071
2,397
5,468
-
Amounts falling due within one
year| |---|---| ## **10 Charity funds** 10.1 Details of material funds held and movements during the current reporting period |Unrestricted fund:
The Lavinia Norfolk Family Trust
Restricted income funds:
Choral Scholarship Fund
Youth Engagement Project
Total Funds|Income
Expenditure
Transfers
£
£
£
£
3,577
3,577
1,451
1,451
8,579
(748)
(7,831)
Fund
balances
carried
forward
-
-
-
-
-| |---|---| ||13,607
(748)
(7,831)
5,028| The purpose and restrictions of the funds are as follows: The Lavinia Norfolk Family Trust – a designated fund set aside by the trustees for use at their discretion from a donation by the Lavinia Norfolk Family Trust Choral Scholarship Fund – to provide choral scholarships for young people. Youth Engagement Project – to support working partnerships with youth organisations. The balance on this fund was transferred to unrestricted funds at 31[st] May 2025 to cover costs of a joint concert with West Sussex Music. ## **11 Transactions with trustees and related parties** 11.1 Trustee remuneration and benefits J Robinson 285 The charity has paid remuneration to one trustee as follows. This period £ The remuneration was paid in respect of professional music services provided. 11.2 Trustees' expenses No trustee expenses have been incurred in the current period. 11.3 Transactions with related parties There have been no related party transactions in the current period. mombers of ARUN CHORAL SOCIErY On accounts for the ywr 31* MAY 2025 Charlty no Ilf ary) 1210146 I rewt to the trustees on my exarrination d the •xx)unts CA the abo￿# frx the yw erKl&l 3110512025 Rospon8lbllld•s and As the tr￿teeS d the Tntsi, Y￿ respK>nsible for the preparation bas55 of roport d the accounts in ￿)rdar￿ Thith the requiremerrts d the Charities Act 2011 (Ihe ￿. I rewt in resped cl my the TN8t'8 xcounts carried out under secti<)n 145 01 the 2011 Ad and in caryirvJ out my examination, I folky￿1 the 4plicatAe Diredions gven by the Chty Conmissicln under 145{5Mb) of the Ad. Indepondent I have comF4thd my eXa￿n￿lOn. l oxffimi th& rK) matend matters h examinerfs statement to my attention in with lh• examinatK)n whiL* gives mè (*use to believe that in. w)y I￿1￿%81 rtsp&*'. a(￿un￿.[vj rwds *ere r￿t ke0 in with Se￿.0n 130 of the A¢# ith the examin￿?(￿ to whlth attention Shc￿d be drawn in order to enable 8 SIgn￿. OG Nam•: ANDREW WOOLNER Relevant professional qualificatlon(s) or body Illary): BA (H(MB) Addrnss: 3 CHURCH CLOSE CLAPHAM VILLAGE )RTHING, ￿ST SUSSEX