**REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 259306** ## Report of the Trustees and ## Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 May 2025 ## 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 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 12| |Detailed Statement of Financial Activities|13 to 14| The Birkenhead Operatic Society Trust ## Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 May 2025 The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 May 2025. 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** The only major production within this financial year was Annie at the Liverpool Empire. Page 1 The Birkenhead Operatic Society Trust ## Report of the Trustees ## for the Year Ended 31 May 2025 ## **FINANCIAL REVIEW** ## **Financial position** We made a loss this year of £13,737, down from a loss of £30,617 for the last financial year Total income from members' subscriptions was £10,756, down from £12,848 last year - lower due to the single major show this year, but still a much-needed contribution to the ever-increasing running costs of the organisation and premises A further £5,237 has been allocated as capital expenditure this year - which is displayed on the balance sheet as an increase to our fixed assets, minus depreciation of our other assets ## Notable expenditure Further expenditure on our studio rehearsal space - over £16,000 spent this year in addition to the architect design costs and building deposits paid in the last financial year Electrical improvements which were recommended in last year's EICR fixed wiring inspection report have now been completed. Additions were also made to add future capacity for extra circuits, along with sockets and lighting for the studio space The CCTV system was renewed, including 4K HD cameras throughout, with additional cameras fitted to more-adequately cover the front and rear of the property Our network infrastructure was replaced - including fixed sockets throughout the building for connecting PCs and AV equipment for special events. All of the WiFi access points were also replaced to the latest standard, with additional points added for the main and studio rehearsal spaces Over £1,200 was spent on a replacement digital piano for rehearsals, with the old one becoming unreliable after many years of good service! A wireless communications system was purchased for our crew to use during productions, reducing the hire costs for future shows In advance of Les Miserables (which falls into next year's financial period) well over £15,000 was spent on additional scenery and costumes, to be kept and used in future productions Whilst the production of The Sound Of Music last year and Annie this year didn't prove to be as profitable as initially hoped, we feel that the Society is now in a strong position to reduce future spend on scenery, costumes, lighting and AV without impacting the quality of productions. With £160,389 of net current assets (ie. cash, prepayments and debtors,) we continue to have sufficient reserves to produce large-scale musicals at the biggest venues in the area, offering the best opportunities for our members both on and off the stage. ## **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. ## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Charity number** Page 2 The Birkenhead Operatic Society Trust ## Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 May 2025 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** Rachel Corke FCA Corke Accountancy Services 2 Upton Road Claughton Wirral CH41 0DF Approved by order of the board of trustees on ............................................. 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 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** Since your charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a listed body. I can confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies. 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: 1. 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 3. 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 26 March 2026 Page 4 The Birkenhead Operatic Society Trust ## Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 May 2025 |Notes
**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM**
**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)**
**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS**
Total funds brought forward
**TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**|Unrestricted
fund
£
10,756
255,619
4,206
270,581
4,515
278,851
283,366
(12,785)
177,295
164,510|Restricted
fund
£
-
-
-
-
-
952
952
(952)
7,431
6,479|31.5.25
Total
funds
£
10,756
255,619
4,206
270,581
4,515
279,803
284,318
(13,737)
184,726
170,989|31.5.24
Total
funds
£
12,848
233,855
418
247,121
2,456
275,282
277,738
(30,617)
215,343
184,726| |---|---|---|---|---| The notes form part of these financial statements Page 5 ## The Birkenhead Operatic Society Trust ## Balance Sheet ## 31 May 2025 |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
£
10,600
250
68,593
95,930
164,773
(10,863)
153,910
164,510
164,510|Restricted
fund
£
-
-
774
5,706
6,480
(1)
6,479
6,479
6,479|31.5.25
Total
funds
£
10,600
250
69,367
101,636
171,253
(10,864)
160,389
170,989
170,989
164,510
6,479
170,989|31.5.24
Total
funds
£
8,897
30
45,401
168,450
213,881
(38,052)
175,829
184,726
184,726
177,295
7,431
184,726| |---|---|---|---|---| The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on ............................................. 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 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. ## **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 2025 ## **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|31.5.25
£
5,347
228,156
13,838
8,278
255,619
31.5.25
£
4,206|31.5.24
£
7,505
212,519
7,204
6,627| |---|---|---| |||233,855| |||31.5.24
£
418| ## **4. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS** There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 May 2025 nor for the year ended 31 May 2024. ## **Trustees' expenses** There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 May 2025 nor for the year ended 31 May 2024. ## **5. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES** |**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM**
**Charitable activities**
Members subscriptions and
donations
Other trading activities
Investment income
**Total**
**EXPENDITURE ON**
Raising funds|Unrestricted
fund
£
12,848
233,855
418
247,121
2,456|Restricted
fund
£
-
-
-
-
-|Total
funds
£
12,848
233,855
418| |---|---|---|---| ||||247,121| ||||2,456| Page 8 continued... The Birkenhead Operatic Society Trust Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 May 2025 |**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**| |---|---|---|---|---| |||Unrestricted|Restricted|Total| |||fund|fund|funds| |||£|£|£| ||**Charitable activities**|||| ||Theatre Production|273,973|1,309|275,282| ||**Total**|276,429|1,309|277,738| ||**NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)**|(29,308)|(1,309)|(30,617)| ||**Transfers between funds**|1,260|(1,260)|-| ||**Net movement in funds**|(28,048)|(2,569)|(30,617)| ||**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS**|||| ||Total funds brought forward|205,343|10,000|215,343| ||**TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED**|||| ||**FORWARD**|177,295|7,431|184,726| |**6.**|**TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS**|||| |||||Fixtures| |||||and| |||||fittings| |||||£| ||**COST**|||| ||At 1 June 2024|||41,634| ||Additions|||5,237| ||At 31 May 2025|||46,871| ||**DEPRECIATION**|||| ||At 1 June 2024|||32,737| ||Charge for year|||3,534| ||At 31 May 2025|||36,271| ||**NET BOOK VALUE**|||| ||At 31 May 2025|||10,600| ||At 31 May 2024|||8,897| Page 9 continued... The Birkenhead Operatic Society Trust Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 May 2025 |**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**
At 1.6.24
£
**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
177,295
**Restricted funds**
Vocal Coaching
7,431
**TOTAL FUNDS**
184,726
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
Incoming
resources
£
**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
270,581
**Restricted funds**
Vocal Coaching
-
**TOTAL FUNDS**
270,581|31.5.25
£
250
31.5.25
£
69,367
31.5.25
£
10,864
Net
movement
in funds
£
(12,785)
(952)
(13,737)
Resources
expended
£
(283,366)
(952)
(284,318)|31.5.24
£
30
31.5.24
£
45,401
31.5.24
£
38,052
At
31.5.25
£
164,510
6,479
170,989
Movement
in funds
£
(12,785)
(952)
(13,737)| |---|---|---| Page 10 continued... The Birkenhead Operatic Society Trust Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 May 2025 ## **10. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued** ## **Comparatives for movement in funds** |||Net|Transfers|| |---|---|---|---|---| |||movement|between|At| ||At 1.6.23|in funds|funds|31.5.24| ||£|£|£|£| |**Unrestricted funds**||||| |General fund|205,343|(29,308)|1,260|177,295| |**Restricted funds**||||| |Vocal Coaching|10,000|(1,309)|(1,260)|7,431| |**TOTAL FUNDS**|215,343|(30,617)|-|184,726| |Comparative net movement in funds, included in the||above are as follows:||| |||Incoming|Resources|Movement| |||resources|expended|in funds| |||£|£|£| |**Unrestricted funds**||||| |General fund||247,121|(276,429)|(29,308)| |**Restricted funds**||||| |Vocal Coaching||-|(1,309)|(1,309)| |**TOTAL FUNDS**||247,121|(277,738)|(30,617)| |A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:||||| |||Net|Transfers|| |||movement|between|At| ||At 1.6.23|in funds|funds|31.5.25| ||£|£|£|£| |**Unrestricted funds**||||| |General fund|205,343|(42,093)|1,260|164,510| |**Restricted funds**||||| |Vocal Coaching|10,000|(2,261)|(1,260)|6,479| |**TOTAL FUNDS**|215,343|(44,354)|-|170,989| Page 11 continued... The Birkenhead Operatic Society Trust Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 May 2025 ## **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
£
517,702
-
517,702|Resources
expended
£
(559,795)
(2,261)
(562,056)|Movement
in funds
£
(42,093)
(2,261)
(44,354)| |---|---|---|---| ## **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 2025. Page 12 The Birkenhead Operatic Society Trust |Detailed Statement of Financial Activities
for the Year Ended 31 May 2025
**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS**
**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**
**Management**
Other operating leases
Carried forward|31.5.25
£
5,347
228,156
13,838
8,278
255,619
4,206
10,756
270,581
4,735
30
(250)
(220)
1,150
9,867
211,532
952
5,958
229,459
3,526
3,526|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
201,751
1,309
5,386
221,945
3,526
3,526| |---|---|---| 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 2025 |**Management**
Brought forward
Rates and water
Trustee's insurance
Light and heat
Telephone
Postage and stationery
Repairs and maintenance
Fixtures and fittings
**Finance**
Bank charges
**Human resources**
Software licences
**Governance costs**
Accountancy and legal fees
Total resources expended
**Net expenditure**|31.5.25
£
3,526
2,661
404
13,075
700
290
20,838
3,533
45,027
604
319
4,394
284,318
(13,737)|31.5.24
£
3,526
1,845
389
12,468
745
356
31,929
466
51,724
605
106
902
277,738
(30,617)| |---|---|---| This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements Page 14