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2021-12-31-accounts

REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 01508781 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 281159

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND

UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

FOR

NATIONAL YOUTH MUSIC THEATRE LTD

George Hay & Company Chartered Accountants 83 Cambridge Street London SW1V 4PS

NATIONAL YOUTH MUSIC THEATRE LTD

CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

Page
Report of the Trustees 1 to 5
Independent Examiner's Report 6
Statement of Financial Activities 7
Balance Sheet 8
Notes to the Financial Statements 9 to 12
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities 13

NATIONAL YOUTH MUSIC THEATRE LTD

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2021. 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

Vision, Mission and Strategic Aims of the Board

Vision

To broaden the range and culture base of high quality productions in youth music theatre.

Mission

To provide opportunities for young people from all social and cultural backgrounds to explore and develop their potential, by:

· broadening the range and inclusivity of performance opportunities;

· creating opportunities for national and international recognition of new work and new talent.

Strategic Aims

Production, writers, practitioners, material:

· To raise standards of work by young people in music theatre by presenting first-class productions to national and international acclaim and to tour these productions.

· To commission, promote and present new writing for youth music theatre, by young people and adults, which is artistically challenging and socially relevant.

· To offer workshops, master classes and focus groups which explore and develop talent and creativity.

· To monitor quality and growth in all work thorough an artistic team reporting to the Board.

Participants:

· To work in partnership with others to remove barriers and ensure opportunities can be taken up by their target participants.

· To ensure that all opportunities offered meet NYMT codes of practice for safety and security of participants and staff.

Sustainability:

· Actively to promote the educational, social and cultural value of engagement in youth music theatre.

· To maintain and review a business plan which supports all projected activity and the company's continued viability, profile and presence.

· To provide return on investment to all stakeholders: artistically and in terms of inclusion and educational measurement.

Page 1

NATIONAL YOUTH MUSIC THEATRE LTD

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Trustees’ Report on activity during the year and planning

Following a difficult year of online-only activity, the hope for 2021 was that things might return to normal. Venues were tentatively booked for face-to-face auditions and a full programme of productions was approved by the Board of Trustees, though not without challenge. Some elements of working methods were retained, and we made the decision to retain online, video submissions for musician auditions, and to ask actor-singers to provide an initial video recording of a song from musical theatre. This enabled every member of our creative teams to assess all candidates, and not just those for whom they were physically present at live auditions. Ultimately, however - in the light of the continued spread of the virus - we made the decision to cancel live auditions and to continue online, as before. The decision was also made to abandon thought of Easter rehearsals and to focus on the summer only, extending to two weeks prior to technical rehearsals at each venue.

We were thrilled to have been granted the rights to perform THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, based on the Victor Hugo novel with songs from the Disney film, music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Peter Parnell, and we're grateful to Disney and to MTI for entrusting this epic masterpiece to our care. The heart of the stage version of THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE Dame is in the song Someday, which Esmeralda sings in Act 2. In it she accepts the horrifying predicament in which she finds herself. She is powerless to change things in society but she hopes for a better future in which the Romany people are accepted and not persecuted. Director Alex Sutton said, "For me that hope is exactly where theatre finds itself now. As we start to come out of the pandemic the theatre world is looking to 'reset' better, it is hopeful for a future in which all parts of it are inclusive, a theatre that engages with anti-racism, pride and with disability, that everyone working in it is employed fairly regardless of disability, race, gender and sexuality and safe from bullying, persecution and harassment.

In the script Quasimodo is deaf, and Alex embraced the opportunity to cast a deaf actor in that role. He said, "The challenge is then, how does that person sing this score? The question then becomes what is singing, what is music? As a hearing person who studied (believe it or not) analytical musicology, this challenges my very conception of music and how it is communicated. Sign language and BSL is going to permeate the entire show. Every show will start being BSL 'interpreted' at the side of the stage, but then we are going to play with that to create a truly integrated accessible version of it. Several members of the cast are deaf or are CODA's (child of deaf adult), and our wonderful choreographer Mark Smith, is a truly inspirational deaf choreographer"

Anthony O'Connor Director of Fundraising at Manchester Cathedral added 'Manchester Cathedral is delighted to be able to host THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME. As we emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic this production will be a great opportunity for individuals, couples and families to gather in this medieval space to take in this wonderful production'

Thanks to our association with Deafinitely Theatre, we were delighted to discover our Quasimodo in the outstanding young, deaf actor, Ciaran O'Brien. The role was sung by Adam Pugh. Lois Chapman, herself of Romany descent, played Esmerelda.

The 2021 season also saw the postponed première of HENRIETTA by Katie Lam and Alex Parker. Inspired by the true stories of love, sacrifice and bravery in the Netherlands during the Second World War, HENRIETTA is about a thirst for adventure, the need we all feel to establish our identity, and how ordinary people can be capable of extraordinary courage. Based on a true story from Katie Lam's own family history HENRIETTA tells the story of a young girl living in occupied Amsterdam during the second world war. Henrietta lives with her mother, father, sister and brother and wants an adventure - until she gets one she didn't bargain for. The work asks us to consider family, individualism and what it means to be brave.

Our third production, BILLY THE KID, was commissioned and originally produced by NYMT in 2017. Written by Ben Morales Frost and Richard Hough, it is an epic adventure story, a magical, musical comedy set in a colourful world of cowboys and bandits, cactus trees and caballeros. William Antrim is small for his age; he's quiet and shy, which makes him an easy target for lazy bullies. But in his dreams, William Antrim is Billy the Kid, a courageous cowboy, riding the range with the sun in his eyes. An all-American hero. Now, if only his dreams could become a reality...

HENRIETTA and BILLY THE KID were produced at the Michael Croft Theatre (MCT) at Alleyn's School, Dulwich.

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NATIONAL YOUTH MUSIC THEATRE LTD

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Continuing our series of workshops of new musicals in development, NYMT invites submissions from emerging writers with a view to taking their work forward to full production each year. In 2020, we received over 30 submissions of new musicals. From an exceptional shortlist, our panel of directors chose a work in progress by Annabel Mutale Reed and Jack Trzcinski. A KISS FOR CINDERELLA is an adaptation of J. M. Barrie's 1916 play of the same name and follows Jane, a young girl from across the sea, and the refugee children she takes care of - Flo, Blue and Krista - in 1940s London during the Blitz. These girls have each brought their own version of the tale of Cinderella with them and are determined that Jane is the Cinderella the stories all tell about. This new musical was the subject of a fully-cast workshop in the summer of 2021.

Skills workshops continued online and a summer workshop was held at Sevenoaks. Sadly, though, our Christmas Concert at St John's Smith Square was cancelled. Now, as we gradually recover from so many months of uncertainty, NYMT renews its commitment to provide invaluable opportunities for young people to develop existing strengths and learn new skills through regular half-term workshops and residential holiday courses. Our Creative Team Mentoring Scheme also enables aspiring directors, musical directors and choreographers to work alongside leading professionals and to play a vital role in the development of our productions.

For 45 years NYMT has been at the forefront of the British musical theatre scene enabling thousands of youngsters across the UK to develop both their creative and personal potential, leading Andrew Lloyd Webber to dub it "the best youth music theatre in the world".

2021 Season and Covid-19

Amidst the ongoing pandemic, 2021 presented a unique dilemma for NYMT, which inevitably would have taken on additional financial risk by proceeding with the 2021 Season with so much uncertainty. Following a thorough audit and risk review by the Board of Trustees it was decided that it was in the interests of the charity to undertake a season with changes to the NYMT's usual practices

All the actor auditions and recalls in January, February and March took place online, and were followed by online discussions and read-throughs with the new casts. Further auditions and interviews for musicians and crew took place later in the year.

In 2021 NYMT's three main shows were rehearsed entirely in the summer months, forgoing the usual Easter rehearsals when restrictions were still in place. Each show rehearsed for two weeks in July and August before moving into production week.

Substantial risk assessments were carried out in consultation with NYMT's partner venues and significant new processes were put in place. The overall Coronavirus risk assessment for NYMT was published online and circulated to all involved. It included: a testing and reporting regime prior to arrival and throughout the courses for all involved; a 'Covid dashboard' available for all involved; 'show bubbles' to reduce contact between groups; mask and social distancing policies; staggered meal times; limits on leaving the rehearsal and accommodation site.

To reduce the financial risk to NYMT, advance payments for venues and other commitments were pushed back with mutual agreement. Uncertainty and last-minute changes in the theatre industry meant that some staff had to withdraw at late notice, and other design and build agreements fell through or had to be changed. Labour and materials costs increased significantly this year.

While tickets sales were lower than usual, they were above expectation, though all shows were affected by last-minute cancellations and no-shows due to illness.

There were some exceptionally challenging moments during this process, most notably when a member of the cast of The Hunchback of Notre Dame tested positive for Covid-19 ten days into rehearsals. As a precaution, the decision was taken to end rehearsals at this point and to reconvene in Manchester for the production week following company-wide testing. Fortunately, no further cases were detected, and the production was able to continue.

The positive impact on the whole company of coming together to perform after more than a year of staying apart from others, particularly on the young adults and children in the cast, crew and band, was both extraordinary and deeply moving to witness.

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NATIONAL YOUTH MUSIC THEATRE LTD

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006.

Governance

As set out in the Articles of Association, the Chair is elected by the Board. Directors are appointed by the Board. Board members serve a term of three years, with a maximum of two consecutive terms of office, after which there must be a break of service of at least 12 months.

Induction and training of new trustees

New directors undergo induction orientation with the Chair and Company Secretary to brief them on their legal obligations under charity and company law, the content of the Articles of Association, the committee and decision making processes, the Vision, Mission and Strategic Aims of the Board and recent financial performance of the organisation. During the induction, they meet key employees and other directors. Away days are set in place to facilitate directors' input into strategic planning. Directors are encouraged to attend appropriate external training events as appropriate to their role and the Company Secretary provides occasional briefings at Board meetings updating directors on company and charity law and best practice governance.

Risk management

The directors have a risk management strategy which comprises a regular review of the risks the organisation may face; the establishment of systems and procedures to mitigate those risks and the implementation of procedures designed to minimise any potential impact on the organisation. During 2019, attention has focused on all practices and procedures and the development of our safeguarding policy.

Finance Committee

The board have constituted a Finance Sub Committee with the following main responsibilities: - To help prevent fraud by ensuring that all tasks associated with the finance function are not performed by one person without supervision from others.

Members of the committee during the period were, Freddie Tapner (Chair), David Reitman and Benjamin Sheen.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Company number

01508781 (England and Wales)

Registered Charity number

281159

Registered office

South Cottage Keers Green Dunmow United Kingdom Essex CM6 1PQ

Page 4

NATIONAL YOUTH MUSIC THEATRE LTD

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

Trustees

P A Munden J Walker Ms J Cooke D Reitman F J Tapner (resigned 11.3.22) B Sheen Dr E Okereke D Tarento (appointed 1.4.22)

Company Secretary

P A Munden

Independent Examiner

George Hay & Company Chartered Accountants 83 Cambridge Street London SW1V 4PS

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES

The trustees (who are also the directors of National Youth Music Theatre Ltd for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Approved by order of the board of trustees on 26 July 2022 and signed on its behalf by:

P A Munden - Trustee

Page 5

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF NATIONAL YOUTH MUSIC THEATRE LTD

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of National Youth Music Theatre Ltd ('the Company')

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 December 2021.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 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 registered member of ICAEW which is one of the listed bodies.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  2. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act 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; or

  3. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)).

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.

Andrew Fox ICAEW George Hay & Company Chartered Accountants 83 Cambridge Street London SW1V 4PS

26 July 2022

Page 6

NATIONAL YOUTH MUSIC THEATRE LTD

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

2021
Unrestricted
fund
Notes
£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Charitable activities
Grants
471,083
Other trading activities
2
5,000
Investment income
3
25
Other income
-
Total
476,108
EXPENDITURE ON
Raising funds
375,329
Charitable activities
Grants
68,051
Activities
15,111
Total
458,491
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
17,617
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
97,912
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
115,529
2020
Total
funds
£
48,244
4,500
19
10,000
62,763
89,565
73,073
-
162,638
(99,875)
197,787
97,912

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 7

NATIONAL YOUTH MUSIC THEATRE LTD

BALANCE SHEET 31 DECEMBER 2021

2021
Unrestricted
fund
Notes
£
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
7
94,674
Cash at bank
76,089
170,763
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one year
8
(55,234)
NET CURRENT ASSETS
115,529
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT
LIABILITIES
115,529
NET ASSETS
115,529
FUNDS
9
Unrestricted funds
115,529
TOTAL FUNDS
115,529
2020
Total
funds
£
61,942
44,011
105,953
(8,041)
97,912
97,912
97,912
97,912
97,912

The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 December 2021.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2021 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime.

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 26 July 2022 and were signed on its behalf by:

P A Munden - Trustee

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 8

NATIONAL YOUTH MUSIC THEATRE LTD

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charitable company, 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 Companies Act 2006. 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.

Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation 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.

Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits

The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charitable company's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.

2. OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES

2. OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES
2021 2020
£ £
Licensing fees 5,000 4,500
3. INVESTMENT INCOME
2021 2020
£ £
Deposit account interest 25 19

continued...

Page 9

NATIONAL YOUTH MUSIC THEATRE LTD

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

4. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

2021 2020
£ £
Trustees' fees 12,000 11,055

Trustees' expenses

There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 December 2021 nor for the year ended 31 December 2020.

5. STAFF COSTS

The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:

2021 2020
Administration 2 2

No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.

6. PRODUCTION COSTS

Included in production costs of £87,719 is a refund of £45,720 received in 2019 for a summer course that was cancelled due to the impact of Covid-19. Had this been refunded in 2019, the result would have been a deficit of £39,387, rather than a surplus of £6,333 in 2019 and a deficit of £54,155 rather than £99,875 in 2020.

7. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

2021 2020
£ £
Other debtors 94,674 61,942
8. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
2021 2020
£ £
Other creditors 1,834 4,641
Government loan 50,000 -
Accruals and deferred income 3,400 3,400
55,234 8,041
9. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
Net
movement At
At 1.1.21 in funds 31.12.21
£ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 97,912 17,617 115,529
TOTAL FUNDS 97,912 17,617 115,529

continued...

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NATIONAL YOUTH MUSIC THEATRE LTD

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

9. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Unrestricted funds
General fund
TOTAL FUNDS
Incoming
resources
£
476,108
476,108
Resources
Movement
expended
in funds
£
£
(458,491)
17,617
(458,491)
17,617

Comparatives for movement in funds

At 1.1.20
£
Unrestricted funds
General fund
197,787
TOTAL FUNDS
197,787
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
Incoming
resources
£
Unrestricted funds
General fund
62,763
TOTAL FUNDS
62,763
Net
movement
At
in funds
31.12.20
£
£
(99,875)
97,912
(99,875)
97,912
Resources
Movement
expended
in funds
£
£
(162,638)
(99,875)
(162,638)
(99,875)

A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:

Net
movement At
At 1.1.20 in funds 31.12.21
£ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 197,787 (82,258) 115,529
TOTAL FUNDS 197,787 (82,258) 115,529

continued...

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NATIONAL YOUTH MUSIC THEATRE LTD

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

9. 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
TOTAL FUNDS
Incoming
resources
£
538,871
538,871
Resources
Movement
expended
in funds
£
£
(621,129)
(82,258)
(621,129)
(82,258)

10. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 December 2021.

Page 12

NATIONAL YOUTH MUSIC THEATRE LTD

DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2021

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS
Other trading activities
Licensing fees
Investment income
Deposit account interest
Charitable activities
Productions and workshops
Audition fees
Other income
Donations
Grants
Other income
Government grants
Total incoming resources
EXPENDITURE
Other trading activities
Production costs
Sundries
Theatre tax relief
Support costs
Management
Pensions
Governance costs
Honoraria
Wages
Advertising and promotion
Insurance
Sundries
Accountancy and legal fees
Bank charges
Storage costs
Total resources expended
Net income/(expenditure)
2021
£
5,000
25
413,583
31,036
1,181
7,783
17,500
471,083
-
476,108
428,981
18,149
(71,801)
375,329
874
12,000
42,956
1,681
4,104
4,318
2,100
18
15,111
82,288
458,491
17,617
2020
£
4,500
19
38,631
-
-
9,613
-
48,244
10,000
62,763
87,719
1,846
-
89,565
-
11,055
41,120
581
1,324
2,776
1,450
18
14,749
73,073
162,638
(99,875)

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements

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