REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 259306
Report of the Trustees and
Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 May 2024
for
The Birkenhead Operatic Society Trust
Corke Accountancy Services 2 Upton Road Claughton Wirral CH41 0DF
The Birkenhead Operatic Society Trust
Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 May 2024
| 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 12 |
| Detailed Statement of Financial Activities | 13 to 14 |
The Birkenhead Operatic Society Trust
Report of the Trustees
for the Year Ended 31 May 2024
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 May 2024. The trustees have adopted the provisions of 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).
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Objectives and aims
The objects of the Trust are for the promotion or furtherance of education in, and knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the arts of, opera, ballet, mime, drama, music and singing.
Significant activities
The Trust stages shows of a near-professional standard. A concert party performs for community groups and concerts are performed for other charities.
Members receive training in stagecraft and singing and children are introduced to theatre performance.
The hall is made available for music and theatre examinations.
Public benefit
The Trust is committed to enabling as many people as possible to participate in its activities either through involvement in its productions or as its audiences.
Since the Society was formed, they've produced over 200 shows and concerts which have been enjoyed by the local community. In maintaining high standards of production, the Society, its performing members and creative teams have won multiple awards, including those issued by the National Operatic and Dramatic Association.
Throughout this period, members of all ages have benefitted from expert training in stagecraft and singing. It is well documented that taking part in groups such as choirs and dramatic societies improves participants' physical and mental well-being.
The Society engages with both local and national creative talent to ensure that the members and audience benefit from the involvement of professional artistic directors, musical directors and technical crew. Wider benefits to the local community are achieved through the public deriving much pleasure from the Trust's performances - which they're able to attend at professional venues at a far more accessible cost compared to shows produced by commercial entities.
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE
Charitable activities
Productions within the financial year were The Sound of Music at the Liverpool Empire Theatre and The Sound of Christmas Movies at St George's Hall.
Page 1
The Birkenhead Operatic Society Trust
Report of the Trustees
for the Year Ended 31 May 2024
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Financial position
The financial transactions of the Trust continue to run satisfactorily and the position of the Trust is strong and well placed to meet its objectives. Throughout the year when planning its activities, the Trust takes in to consideration the capital reserves required to fulfil its obligations and to mitigate risk from external factors. Some of the Society's larger productions can incur costs of over £180,000, many of which need to be met before ticket income is received.
We made a net loss this year of £30,616.
Total income from members' subscriptions was £12,84 - a much-needed contribution towards the ongoing running costs and improvement costs for our headquarters and facilities.
Our net current assets (being the total amount held in our current and savings accounts, taking into consideration any amounts due to us or owed by us) were £175,830 at 31st May this year,
Notable Expenditure
We've had another year of extensive refurbishment of our headquarters which has incurred some signification expenditure:
- " Chilled water dispenser in the main hall
" Expenditure on second rehearsal space - including architect's fees and a proportion of the mezzanine cost which fell in to this financial year. Further costs will be included in the next financial year
" Installation of LED lighting in the main hall
" A full electrical inspection of the premises, with suggestions for remedial work which have since been completed
" A new fire detection system installed throughout the premises
" New portable staging to be used in the hall
" Significant amounts of set pieces to be used for upcoming shows
" A large projection screen, as used for The Sound of Music
" A new sewing machine and Cricut machine
" 3 Clearsonic acoustic drum screens
FUTURE PLANS
Our future planned productions of Annie and Let The People Sing: Les Misérables Anniversary Performance should prove to be successful financially and allow us to retain the cash buffer we require for producing large-scale Liverpool Empire shows.
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
The Trust is governed by its General Council who are voted in by a majority at each AGM - generally consisting of 11 trustees and up to 4 co-opted members. These roles include a Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer. Other aspects of the day-to-day running of the charity are delegated to sub-committees who report back to the General Council at their monthly meetings. These include Fundraising, Production, Building and a Social Committee. Each sub-committee includes at least one trustee.
Page 2
The Birkenhead Operatic Society Trust
Report of the Trustees
for the Year Ended 31 May 2024
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Charity number 259306
Principal address
Trustees
K Blackwell C Simmons M Hoile M Furness L Furness L Steventon D McAllister I Beattie K Hoile R Rose
Independent Examiner
Corke Accountancy Services 2 Upton Road Claughton Wirral CH41 0DF
Approved by order of the board of trustees on 27 March 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
Trustee
Page 3
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of The Birkenhead Operatic Society Trust
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of The Birkenhead Operatic Society Trust
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Birkenhead Operatic Society Trust (the Trust) for the year ended 31 May 2024.
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:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by Section 130 of the Act; or
-
the accounts do not accord with those records; or
-
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.
Rachel Corke FCA
Corke Accountancy Services 2 Upton Road Claughton Wirral CH41 0DF
27 March 2025
Page 4
The Birkenhead Operatic Society Trust
Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 May 2024
| Notes INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies Charitable activities Members subscriptions and donations Other trading activities 2 Investment income 3 Total EXPENDITURE ON Raising funds Charitable activities Theatre Production Total NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) Transfers between funds 10 Net movement in funds RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD |
Unrestricted fund £ - 12,848 233,855 418 247,121 2,456 273,972 276,428 (29,307) 1,260 (28,047) 205,343 177,296 |
Restricted fund £ - - - - - - 1,309 1,309 (1,309) (1,260) (2,569) 10,000 7,431 |
31.5.24 Total funds £ - 12,848 233,855 418 247,121 2,456 275,281 277,737 (30,616) - (30,616) 215,343 184,727 |
31.5.23 Total funds £ 11,334 16,363 418,922 283 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 446,902 | ||||
| 7,925 344,000 |
||||
| 351,925 | ||||
| 94,977 - |
||||
| 94,977 120,366 |
||||
| 215,343 |
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 5
The Birkenhead Operatic Society Trust
Balance Sheet
31 May 2024
| Notes FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets 6 CURRENT ASSETS Stocks 7 Debtors 8 Cash at bank and in hand CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year 9 NET CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES NET ASSETS FUNDS 10 Unrestricted funds Restricted funds: Vocal Coaching TOTAL FUNDS |
Unrestricted fund £ 8,897 30 45,401 161,019 206,450 (38,051) 168,399 177,296 177,296 |
Restricted fund £ - - - 7,431 7,431 - 7,431 7,431 7,431 |
31.5.24 Total funds £ 8,897 30 45,401 168,450 213,881 (38,051) 175,830 184,727 184,727 177,296 7,431 184,727 |
31.5.23 Total funds £ 1,865 30 30,723 218,041 248,794 (35,316) 213,478 215,343 215,343 205,343 10,000 215,343 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 27 March 2025 and were signed on its behalf by:
Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 6
The Birkenhead Operatic Society Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 May 2024
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.
Tangible fixed assets
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.
Fixtures and fittings - 25% on reducing balance
Stocks
Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value, after making due allowance for obsolete and slow moving items.
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.
Page 7
continued...
The Birkenhead Operatic Society Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 May 2024
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued
Hire purchase and leasing commitments
Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities on a straight line basis over the period of the lease.
2. OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES
| Fundraising events Theatre ticket sales Programmes and merchandise Bar sales 3. INVESTMENT INCOME Deposit account interest |
31.5.24 £ 7,505 212,519 7,204 6,627 233,855 31.5.24 £ 418 |
31.5.23 £ 8,853 392,456 13,861 3,752 |
|---|---|---|
| 418,922 | ||
| 31.5.23 £ 283 |
4. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 May 2024 nor for the year ended 31 May 2023.
Trustees' expenses
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 May 2024 nor for the year ended 31 May 2023.
5. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies Charitable activities Members subscriptions and donations Other trading activities Investment income Total EXPENDITURE ON Raising funds |
Unrestricted fund £ 1,334 16,363 418,922 283 436,902 7,925 |
Restricted fund £ 10,000 - - - 10,000 - |
Total funds £ 11,334 16,363 418,922 283 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 446,902 | |||
| 7,925 |
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continued...
The Birkenhead Operatic Society Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 May 2024
| 5. | COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued | COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued | COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued | COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued | COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | |||
| fund | fund | funds | |||
| £ | £ | £ | |||
| Charitable activities | |||||
| Theatre Production | 344,000 | - | 344,000 | ||
| Total | 351,925 | - | 351,925 | ||
| NET INCOME | 84,977 | 10,000 | 94,977 | ||
| RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS | |||||
| Total funds brought forward | 120,366 | - | 120,366 | ||
| TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED | |||||
| FORWARD | 205,343 | 10,000 | 215,343 | ||
| 6. | TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS | ||||
| Fixtures | |||||
| and | |||||
| fittings | |||||
| £ | |||||
| COST | |||||
| At 1 June 2023 | 34,136 | ||||
| Additions | 7,498 | ||||
| At 31 May 2024 | 41,634 | ||||
| DEPRECIATION | |||||
| At 1 June 2023 | 32,271 | ||||
| Charge for year | 466 | ||||
| At 31 May 2024 | 32,737 | ||||
| NET BOOK VALUE | |||||
| At 31 May 2024 | 8,897 | ||||
| At 31 May 2023 | 1,865 |
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continued...
The Birkenhead Operatic Society Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 May 2024
| 7. STOCKS Stocks 8. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Prepayments and accrued income 9. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Other creditors 10. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS Net movement At 1.6.23 in funds £ £ Unrestricted funds General fund 205,343 (29,307) Restricted funds Vocal Coaching 10,000 (1,309) TOTAL FUNDS 215,343 (30,616) Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: Incoming resources £ Unrestricted funds General fund 247,121 Restricted funds Vocal Coaching - TOTAL FUNDS 247,121 |
|
|---|---|
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continued...
The Birkenhead Operatic Society Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 May 2024
10. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
Comparatives for movement in funds
| Net | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| movement | At | |||
| At 1.6.22 | in funds | 31.5.23 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | ||
| Unrestricted funds | ||||
| General fund | 120,366 | 84,977 | 205,343 | |
| Restricted funds | ||||
| Vocal Coaching | - | 10,000 | 10,000 | |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 120,366 | 94,977 | 215,343 | |
| Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: | ||||
| Incoming | Resources | Movement | ||
| resources | expended | in funds | ||
| £ | £ | £ | ||
| Unrestricted funds | ||||
| General fund | 436,902 | (351,925) | 84,977 | |
| Restricted funds | ||||
| Vocal Coaching | 10,000 | - | 10,000 | |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 446,902 | (351,925) | 94,977 | |
| A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows: | ||||
| Net | Transfers | |||
| movement | between | At | ||
| At 1.6.22 in funds |
funds | 31.5.24 | ||
| £ £ |
£ | £ | ||
| Unrestricted funds | ||||
| General fund | 120,366 55,670 |
1,260 | 177,296 | |
| Restricted funds | ||||
| Vocal Coaching | - 8,691 |
(1,260) | 7,431 | |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 120,366 64,361 |
- | 184,727 |
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continued...
The Birkenhead Operatic Society Trust
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 May 2024
10. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Vocal Coaching TOTAL FUNDS |
Incoming resources £ 684,023 10,000 694,023 |
Resources expended £ (628,353) (1,309) (629,662) |
Movement in funds £ 55,670 8,691 64,361 |
|---|---|---|---|
11. OTHER FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS
The building used by the charity is leased and 42 months notice is required to terminate the lease .
This equates to a financial obligation of £12,341.
12. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 May 2024.
Page 12
| The Birkenhead Operatic Society Trust Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 May 2024 INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS Donations and legacies Donations Other trading activities Fundraising events Theatre ticket sales Programmes and merchandise Bar sales Investment income Deposit account interest Charitable activities Members' subscriptions and show contributions Total incoming resources EXPENDITURE Raising donations and legacies Fundraising costs Other trading activities Opening stock Closing stock Charitable activities Insurance Advertising Theatre and production costs Vocal coaching Cost of bar sales Support costs |
31.5.24 £ - 7,505 212,519 7,204 6,627 233,855 418 12,848 247,121 2,456 30 (30) - 1,351 12,148 201,750 1,309 5,386 221,944 |
31.5.23 £ 11,334 8,853 392,456 13,861 3,752 418,922 283 16,363 446,902 7,925 30 (30) - 1,205 19,205 295,687 1,260 2,264 319,621 |
|---|---|---|
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
Page 13
The Birkenhead Operatic Society Trust
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 May 2024
| Support costs Management Other operating leases Rates and water Trustee's insurance Light and heat Telephone Postage and stationery Sundries NODA subscription Repairs and maintenance Fixtures and fittings Finance Bank charges Human resources Software licences Governance costs Accountancy and legal fees Total resources expended Net (expenditure)/income |
31.5.24 £ 3,526 1,845 389 12,468 745 356 - - 31,929 466 51,724 605 106 902 277,737 (30,616) |
31.5.23 £ 3,526 2,447 285 4,656 792 374 486 286 9,758 384 |
|---|---|---|
| 22,994 355 58 972 |
||
| 351,925 | ||
| 94,977 |
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
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