CHELTENHAM MUSIC SOCIETY
TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2024
The Cheltenham Music Society is a registered charity number 279209. It is governed by a written constitution which was last amended at the Annual General Meeting on 30 May 2013. The purpose of the Society is to promote public education in the art and science of music by the presentation of public concerts and in other ways. The Society’s correspondence address is Moat Corner, South View Way, Prestbury, Cheltenham GL52 5BH.
Governance
The Trustees are elected at the Annual General Meeting for renewable three-year terms. The officers are elected at the AGM from among the Trustees. Those entitled to vote at the AGM are members by virtue of having purchased a subscription for the current season. The Trustees during the past year were:
Sir David Pepper Chairman Mr Michael O’Connell Membership Secretary Ms Lynne Elouard Treasurer Mr John Beard Mrs Lindsay Tyndall Ms Penny Steer Mr John Wright
In accordance with section 17 of the Charities Act 2011, the Trustees have satisfied themselves that the Society’s purpose and activities provide a public benefit.
Activities
As in recent years the Society promoted a programme of seven concerts between October and April. Three of the concerts were by string quartets, and the remainder were by a variety of small ensembles. Because no volunteer had come forward to take up the role of Programme Secretary, the Trustees again employed a well-qualified professional to carry out those duties.
The Trustees confirmed their previous judgement that because of falling membership and rising costs the Society will soon become non-viable; they confirmed their decision that the Society will cease to operate as at present at the end of the 2025-26 season. They noted however that sufficient reserves would then be available to support a smaller-scale season and they decided to seek volunteers to take over the running of the Society on a new model. That search is ongoing.
Financial review
The Society this year had a net operating deficit of £5320; a slight increase in the steady fall in membership numbers and a substantial increase sale of single tickets was offset by an increase in operating costs including a large increase in the cost of hiring the venue. The deficit was offset by an unexpected donation of £6000 from a member. The value of the Society’s investments increased by £352. At the end of the year the reserves were £56931, which is more than adequate to cover any revenue deficit or other uninsured losses.
(Signed on behalf of the Trustees)
Sir David Pepper
18 September 2024
Cheltenham Music Society
Statement of Financial Activities for the period 21 April 2023 to 30 April 2024
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note 2023-2024 2022-2023
Income
Subscription tickets 14494 12916
Single Tickets 8572 4233
Donations 9603 2320
Legacy 6500
Interest 1856 1691
34525 27660
Expenditure
Artists' Fees and Expenses 19476 18456
Venue Hire 7158 3960
Commission a 1058 635
Piano hire & tuning 286 588
Programmes 232 281
PRS levies 461 962
Publicity 390 362
Administration b 4783 3439
33844 28683
Net incoming 680 -1023
Increase/decrease in value of
investments 352 -1861
Outstanding previous yr 0 1099
Balance, brought forward 55898 57683
Balance, carried forward 56931 55898
Balance sheet as at 24th April 2024
Assets
Current account c 41616 17826
COIF Deposit account 13261 12387
COIF Income units 11544 10616
M&G Charifund d 0 19905
Debtors e 1302 10
67724 60744
Less: creditors e -10793 -4846
Accumulated Fund 56931 55898
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Notes to Accounts
a Commission paid to Cheltenham Trust (CT) plus credit card charges
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b Administration includes PayPal charges
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and payments to contractor for Programme Secretary duties
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c Balance end 31 March 2024
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d Difference between initial M&G balance and sum transferred on liquidation
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e £1302.20 net credit from CT for concerts 6 and 7
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concert 7 fees £-3670; advance payments of 24/25 subs -£6850 PRS via CLC -£273
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Cheltenham Muslc Soclety I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Cheltenham Music Society (the Society) for the year ended 30 April 2024. Responslblllties and basis of report As the charty trustees of the Society you are responsib for the preparation of the accounts in ardance 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 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5){b) of the Act. Independont examlner's ststement I have completed my examination. I confinn that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examinatK)n 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 wth those records,. or 3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements conceming the form and content of accounts set out in the Charrties (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 exarnination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed: Name.. frfuL Date".