2022-07-31-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 01/08/2021 Period start date To 31/08/2022 Period end date

Charity name: Portsmouth Choral Union

Charity registration number: 266974

Objectives and Activities

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	The objects of the Society will be to advance and maintain public education in, and appreciation of, the 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.
Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts.	Para 1.17 and 1.19	After 18 months disrupted by Covid-19 which for much of the time made group singing impossible or set extreme restrictions, we were finally able to resume rehearsing and giving concerts in autumn 2021, albeit with continuing regard to recommendations for social distancing and other safety measures. Between August 2021 and July 2022 we were able to stage 4 full concerts, one of which was given as part of a series celebrating and supporting the Organ Restoration Project in St Mary’s Church, Fratton, Portsmouth. We also held a Come and Sing with proceeds donated to Key Changes Music Therapy, a Winchester-based charity that uses music therapy to alleviate the emotional effects of mental illness, learning disability, social deprivation and developmental delay in children and adults.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	Para 1.18	The trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit.

Additional information (optional)

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	SORP reference
Policy on grant making	Para 1.38	N/A
Policy on social investment including program related investment	Para 1.38	N/A
Contribution made by volunteers	Para 1.38	The charity is entirely run by members on a voluntary basis
Other

Achievements and Performance

	SORP reference
Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole.	Para 1.20	After such a disrupted year in 2020-2021, we were finally permitted to start indoors singing rehearsals again in autumn 2021 with a full risk assessment in place to reduce the risks of Covid-19 transmission. For our first concert piece of the term we chose Fauré’s_Requiem_, which we had been rehearsing at times between lockdowns. We put on a small autumn concert with a reduced-size choir, as many of our members were not yet able to return to singing in concerts, and with a socially- distanced audience. It was exciting to be able to do a concert again and to see an audience enjoying our music after all the restrictions. We were encouraged to be more ambitious for our Christmas concert and perform Bach’s_Christmas Oratorio_. This is a large work and normally we would have done a large November concert and not had time to rehearse this, so it made for a nice change. We were not sure until quite late that we would be able to do the concert, as there was concern about a new Covid variant and ticket sales were low. To our surprise we were able to go ahead and there was a big rush for tickets on the day,

leaving us rushing to put out more chairs in distanced groups. In the spring our Music Director completed a retranslation of Joseph Haydn’s Seven Last Words of Our Saviour on the Cross , with help from choir member and composer Ian Schofield in producing the newly-set arrangement. This work retells the end of the Easter story and was a first performance for the choir. By this stage we had been able to relocate from the church we were using for rehearsals before Christmas back to our usual pre-Covid school venue, having assessed how we might use it safely and with most of the choir having been vaccinated at least once. We felt we were adapting well to new ways of working for concerts as well although ticket sales continued to be unpredictable and the choir was still not back to full size. Although restrictions eased as the year advanced we were cautious, given the older age of many of our members and audience, and continued with some Covid precautions throughout the year. Our fourth concert of the year was planned to celebrate the newly refurbished organ in St Mary’s Church, but technical problems pushed back its reconstruction and our concert was delayed until the end of July. So instead in June we held a Come and Sing Gilbert and Sullivan extravaganza, inviting other singers to come to rehearsals with us and then performing the full ‘ HMS Pinafore’ in semi-staged form with soloists from the choir led by Philip Blake-Jones from the former D-Oyley-Carte Opera Company. Sadly this was not attended as well as we had hoped but all those who came, including our guests, had a very good time and we were able to raise a considerable sum of money for Key Changes Music Therapy based in Winchester ( Registered Charity number 1124102 ). We then held the organ concert in July with Vierne Messe Solennelle , Poulenc’s Organ Concerto , Parry’s Hear my Words and Bairstow’s Blessed City , accompanied by Daniel Cook, Organist of Durham Cathedral.

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Achievements against objectives set	Para 1.41	In 2021-2022 we were able to get back to holding four concerts and a Come and Sing that gave audiences chance to hear live music performances again after an 18- month gap. We also found ways to offer opportunities to guests to come and enjoy singing with us and to raise money for a worthwhile music charity. Our core membership really appreciated the care we took to maintain safe conditions for all this and the chance to get back to making music together.
Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set	Para 1.41	The choir is heavily reliant on membership subscriptions and tickets sales. Due to Covid our membership was down by about 30%, with some members unable to return and normal recruitment much reduced. Ticket sales were also down, partly due to the requirements for social distancing and caution on the part of potential concert- goers. However we felt that we needed to get back to a full and ambitious concert programme to fulfil our choir’s aims and reward those who could come. We also had not done as much forward planning as usual as the uncertainty of Covid had repeatedly disrupted our plans for 18 months making it difficult to plan effectively. We therefore had to use reserves to support this season’s music making.
Investment performance against objectives	Para 1.41
Other

Financial Review

Financial Review
Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21	Our policy is to try to hold one year’s running costs in reserve. At the end of the previous period we were holding a slightly higher reserve than usual, but we had to use this to cover the current year when costs returned to normal but income did not..
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Para 1.22	We aim to maintain the minimum of one season’s running costs in hand to act as a reserve against years when concerts are more expensive and against unforeseen events.
Amount of reservesheld	Para 1.22	£48,306.33
Reasons for holding zero reserves	Para 1.22	N/A

Details of fund materially in deficit	Para 1.24	N/A
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern	Para 1.23	We will need to be able to recruit more members and audience in the future to improve our income levels.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising)	Para 1.47	Member subscriptions and (normally) ticket sales provide the majority of our income. We also receive donations from members and supporters and from the Portsmouth Lottery. We also have a ‘Friends’ scheme of supporters; in the year 2021- 2022 we identified that this needed a relaunch as it was no longer meeting our needs.
Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted	Para 1.46
A description of the principal risks facing the charity	Para 1.46	Our risks at present stem from the reduced size of the choir and audience due to Covid which is having a negative impact on our income whilst our outgoings are rising.
Other

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document (trust deed,royalcharter)	Para 1.25	Written constitution dated 30thJanuary 2018
How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO)	Para 1.25	Unincorporated association
Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees	Para 1.25	All Trustees are elected at our Annual General Meeting of members or by Extraordinary Vote of members following any mid-term resignations.

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees	Para 1.51	All Trustees are made aware of their responsibilities under the law as Charity Trustees using guidance from the Charity Commission.
The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works	Para 1.51	We co-operate with other musical groups and other choral charities in the area to avoid clashes of concert dates as far as possible and to collaborate on selected projects
Relationship with any related parties	Para 1.51	N/A
Other

Reference and Administrative details

Charityname	PortsmouthChoralUnion
Other name the charity uses	PCU
Registered charity number	266974
Charity’s principal address	21, Second Avenue, Emsworth, Hampshire, PO10 8HP

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12	Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole **year **	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany)
	Mr PhilipStokes	Chairman	To 4thOctober 2022
	Mrs Jane Helliwell	DeputyChair
	Dr Andrea Hegedus	Treasurer
	Mrs Sonia Schofield	Registrar
	Mrs Lois Houston	Marketing and PublicityOfficer
	Dr Alison Barker	Secretary
	Mrs Rosemary Kerridge	Ticketing Manager	To 4thOctober 2022
	Sylvia Mary Lock	Soprano Representative to 4th October 2022, then Chair	From 4thOctober 2022
	Carolyn Ann Keyzor	Soprano Representative	From 4thOctober 2022
	Sarah Louise Spender	Alto Representative
	Mr John Cook	Tenor Representative
	Mr James Sweasey	Bass Representative
	Note that some of these Trustees are current but have been appointed since the year covered by this report.

– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved

Director name

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets held in this capacity Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Type of Name Address adviser Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

Other optional information

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date
	Alison Margaret Barker	Sylvia Mary Lock
	Secretary	Chair
	27/04/23
	27/04/23

PoTtsmoulh Choral Unlon R•¢•lpt• •nd paym•nl• From 1•t uBt 2021 to 318tJul 2022 Se¢tlon A Recel andP eTrts Al Recel ts Subsui I￿n$ Sub donatk)n$ Dona￿On6 and S 16 636.00 458.00 1 266.00 6 528.77 0.00 5.50 0.00 693.13 749.00 14.48 326.00 389.51 295.00 526.14 320.00 394.50 5 185.36 0.00 0.00 0.00 122.49 693.50 87.05 0.00 0.00 0.00 onsornhl Fund Rals- Merthandise Sate5 100 Club E-Fundin Portsmuth Lotte Incon from ReCo￿1n Incon from P raTnmè$ Incorne fmm MUS￿ Librd Incon from Fiiends Subs Rgd Srarves Sund Interest from Investnwnwsavln Bank Inleresl tions 44.17 75.49 0.00 0.27 27 887.80 18 365.06 A2 Asset ald Investment Sates ents Pnfessional Fees Donatlons Hall Hi Storyd Publici Sundries Insuranee Bank Cha Admin and Ststione Bookkee l Accountan Loss from Investment￿s8￿￿ Deficit from Recortt Oeficrt from Pro Deficit from Tour Refunds DgfK4t f￿M Concerts 11 733.90 350.00 2 049.51 11.177.75 0.00 534.34 1 470.00 400.79 585.20 613.00 162.00 79.61 200.00 0.00 0.00 25.00 34 430.00 500.00 eofsta 1 243.45 610.06 382.00 200.00 101.59 200.00 o.oo 0.00 0.00 16 508.33 36 601.67 50 177.69 A4Asset and In*stment Purthases Net of Rece 713.87 41 812.63 8alars¢8 BIF￿1 from PTrvbu8 Year 62 163.87 93 976.50 Fund Balance Carrf8d fowFJ 53 450.00 62 163.87

Porl•m¢xth Cl￿1 Unl¢)n A•s•ts and Uabllltl•• t 2021 > 31st Jul 2022 1stA Sedlon Bstatttrnent ofAssets•nd Uabllltles Cost Cost 81 Cash Funds CAF Cash Accounts ank G4F Gold Account tour Pe Cash 3 103.85 699.38 200.00 9 598.16 96.11 200.00 B2 ¢XherMone Pa nts in Advancg: Stv 500.00 100.00 B3 In¥stment Assets M & G Charibond 48 306.33 51 529.16 B4 Assets Retalned forthe Charivsown use Ke board urthased 13103r20 Com aUd￿hUb urchased 16110r20 678.58 311.86 678.58 311.86 B5 Llabllltles crual- PRS& Recordings Accrual- Bookkeep5ng 150.00 200.00 150.00 200.00 Totsl of AssetslessLlabllltles 53,450.00 62,163.87 ggn*ures nedb one orfvK) Imst8es on behaff of al the tnjstees natu Print Na val Date LWR LGck Akfso 7.3.23 Y.5.23.

(HARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts •&"Section A i•MiIthJ" Independent Examlnefs Report •Ji1[￿. Report to the trust••sl members of TAe oQTSMooTH CHo(LAL UNitspI On accounts for the year ended Charity no (if any) 31" JyLq 2022 Set outon pages -f -Fke lie£wef £ofzA + I fL)sl eeg I reFKJrt to the Irustees rry examinatK)n of the accounts of the above charity (Ihe Trustl for the year ended Regponsibilities and basis of report As the chartys trustees. you are responsible forthe prepwation of the aCc￿nts in ￿(¥dan￿ with the requrements ofthe Charities Act 2011 (Ihe Acr). I reFQrt in resFecl of ￿ exaffunatx)n of the Tru$fs &counts carried cNJt under section 145 ofthe 2011 Acl and in ¢2ryng out my examination. I have foNcrwed all the awArable 0￿￿tiOnS gNen ty the Charity Commi8sM)n uryjer sethn 14515Xb) ofthe ACL Independent examinerfs statement apP1Ka￿￿. Delete [ ] rfnot applKable I ha¥e comp￿￿ ry exrMnatitin. I CLMffimi that no material matters hw cowt to nry atten￿n in conn￿1￿￿ fjth the examination (other than that dis¢bsed beb") wFKh gives me cause to bel￿ that in, any rnateiial resFecl: the arr￿Untir0 recA)rds were rKrt kept in ac£otdance with section 130 of the Charities Acl: or the accounts rfKI nol ac£ord with the ￿ountIng reC￿d$. or the aco)unts dKI nol ¢4Jrpty with the appl￿ble reqUi￿n￿rtts cor)cemirvJ the fonn and content of accounts set (Krt in the Charitie5 (Accounts and Rep￿ts) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the a￿nIS gt¥e a Irue and fairf whth is not a mailer considered as part of an inde￿ndent exarnÉnalion. I have no cortems and have coffe ￿0$S r) thr matters in connection with the examinatK)n to attention should be drawn in this report (Kder lo enat4e a worer understanding of the ac￿Unts to be re￿hed. . Please delete Ihe wo￿$ in the brackets rfthey do not apply. Slgned: Dale: Name: Tr4IcHÉLLe 2zwfgqc4tsJ Relevant PTofesslonal quallllcation(sl or body IcAewJ ) IER Oct 2018

Irf any): Addre5S: 12 fcTeQS L)P JTHPrM6kny￿, SOZI LÉ Section B Disclosure Onty complete if the examiner needs lo hohlight material matters of ￿nCeM (see CC32. Independent examinatw)n of charity accounts: directh?ns and guidance for exarrmners). Give here brief detsils of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose. IER Oct 2018