## **SEVENOAKS PLAYERS** 

**Registered Charity No: 285591** 

**Accounts for year ended 31st December 2023** 



## **Report of the Trustees** 

## _**Objectives**_ 

The principal objects of the Society are to foster and promote the education of the public in dramatic and operatic arts by the production of public stage plays and operatic performances. 

## _**The Trustees**_ 

For the purpose of the Charities Act, the members of the Management Committee are, de facto, the Trustees of the registered charity.  Those serving during the year were: 

Alex Dunmore Chairman (appointed 2 March 2023) Kathy Gelbart Vice Chairman Mike Lewis Secretary Sarah Brennan Treasurer Tracy Weaver Membership Secretary Callum McFarland Producer of Drama and Musicals James Bruce Publicity Secretary (appointed 2 March 2023; resigned 1 September 2023) Emily Draper Social Media Manager (appointed 2 March 2023) Heidi Akester Social Events Manager (appointed 2 March 2023) 

## _**Activities during the year**_ 

During the year the Society presented performances of their second pantomime 'Sleeping Beauty', 'Sweet Charity' at the Stag Theatre, a 4-person musical 'Ordinary Days', and another pantomime 'Cinderella'. 

The committee decided not to submit any festival entries in 2023. 

The society is currently working its production of 'Chess' to take place at the Stag Theatre in May 2024. 

## _**Financial Results**_ 

The financial results for the year, with notes thereon, are set out in the attached Treasurer's Report and Accounts, which have been independently examined in accordance with the Charities Act 1993. 

## _**Use of Accumulated Fund**_ 

The Management Committee has determined that funds of at least £25,000 should be retained by the Society in the Accumulated Fund, as an appropriate amount for the scale and objectives of the Society's activities in connection with future productions. 

Funds above these levels may be used for a selected aspect of a production; to improve the quality of productions by paying for training of members and to support other theatrical enterprises when this is of benefit to the Society. 

## **Alexander Dunmore Chairman** 



## **Treasurer's Report** 

There was an overall defecit of £3,197 in the year mainly comprising of an overall production defecit of £3,239 including the £750 underwriting from the Sevenoaks Arts Council. This was offset by membership subscriptions (£1,304). 

The majority of the defecit was generated by social events in the year (£1,297). The committee agreed to contribute to the costs of the Centenary Gala celebrating our 100th year via the social fund. 

There was an overall defecit of £2,560 in the year of 2022. 

Net Assets of £33,149 at 31st December 2023 are represented by £31,355 in the Accumulated Fund and £1,794 in the Social Fund. 

The Accumulated Fund has been generated from the activities of the Society. The Social Fund is generated from the surpluses from social and fund raising activities and is used to support the Society. 

Sevenoaks Arts Council continue to provide underwriting support for our productions. 

We are very grateful for their ongoing support, including the underwriting of £750 received this year towards Sweet Charity. 

Membership subscriptions are up by 6% compared to last year. Several new members joined the society in 2023. 

Interest rates continue to be low. 

The claim to be submitted for Gift Aid for the year was estimated at £1000. This is higher than 2022 due to increased membership. Last year's estimate was £800 - £812.31 was received. £12.31 surplus taken into 2023 accounts. 

Capital expenditure of £358.83 was incurred and written off as detailed in _Note 7_ . 

There was a total of £32,477.04 held in cash in the bank and in hand at the end of 2023 ( £35,498.30 in 2022). 

## **Sarah Brennan Honorary Treasurer** 

## **17 March 2023** 



## **Balance Sheet** 

|**ASSETS**<br>**Cash**(see Note 3)<br>Current Accounts<br>Reserve Account<br>Cash<br>**Debtors and Prepayments**<br>Interest receivable<br>Current Debtors<br>_Note 9_<br>Accrual for Gift Aid<br>Prepayments for future productions<br>_Note 12_<br>**Tools and Equipment**<br>Balance at start of year<br>_Note 7_<br>less:  Written off<br>**LIABILITIES**<br>**Current Liabilities**<br>Current creditors<br>_Note 6_<br>**TOTAL NET ASSETS REPRESENTED BY:**<br>**_Accumulated Fund:_**<br>Balance at start of year<br>(Deficit) / Surplusfor the year<br>Transfers(to)/ from other funds<br>**_Social Fund:_**<br>Balance at start of year<br>Surplus during year<br>**Sarah Brennan**<br>**Honorary Treasurer**<br>**17 March 2024**|**31 Dec 2023**<br>£<br>£<br>17,368<br>15,000<br>109<br>32,477<br>0<br>260<br>1,000<br>1,185<br>2,445<br>5,890<br>(5,890)<br>0<br>**34,922**<br>1,773<br>1,773<br>**33,149**<br>34,552<br>(3,197)<br>(1,218)<br>30,137<br>1,794<br>1,218<br>3,012<br>**33,149**<br>**0**|**31 Dec 2022**<br>£<br>£<br>20,390<br>15,000<br>109<br>35,498<br>0<br>0<br>800<br>2,541<br>3,341<br>5,531<br>(5,531)<br>0<br>**38,839**<br>2,493<br>2,493<br>**36,346**<br>35,816<br>(2,560)<br>1,295<br>34,552<br>3,091<br>(1,297)<br>1,794<br>**36,346**<br>**0**|
|---|---|---|





## **Notes to the Accounts and further information** 

## **1** _Accounting basis_ 

The Accounts are prepared on the accruals basis.  Income and expenditure relating to future productions have been carried forward as creditors and prepayments. 

## **2** _Surplus/deficit on productions_ 

This represents the aggregate net figures of the income and expenses dealt within these accounts as shown on page 7. 

- **3** Current and Reserve bank accounts are held at NatWest Bank, Sevenoaks. 

## **4** _Donations Made_ 

A donation was made to Otford Village Memorial Hall as a contribution to their new chairs which the Sevenoaks Players will use regularly. 

- **5** _Other Costs and Income_ are sundry items not falling into other classifications. In 2023 the costs primarily reflect the independent examiner's fees and hall hire for the summer drama and dance workshops open to members of the society and the general public. In 2022 the costs primarily reflected the same. 

## **6** _Current Creditors_ 

These are costs incurred during the year which were not yet paid at year end. 

Outstanding costs primarily relate to OVMH and other Cinderella costs invoiced at the end of the year. 

- **7** _Tools & equipment held at 31st December 2023 and written off comprise of:_ 

|Archive files, held by Alex Dunmore kept in OVMH Lockup<br>Piano and cover, held by St John's Church Hall<br>Electric screwdriver and drill, held by Kevin Onley kept in workshop<br>Crockery bought for Social Events, held by Lorna Veale<br>Computer held by Keith Neville<br>Stage stairs, held by Peter Dare kept in workshop<br>Scaffolding, held by Peter Dare kept in workshop<br>Jig Saw held by Kevin Onley kept in workshop<br>Circular saw and power packs held by Kevin Onley kept in workshop<br>Drum Stage Box (Snake) held by Alex Dunmore<br>Cables and Adaptor Leads held by Alex Dunmore<br>Card Payments Machine held by Sarah Brennan<br>Sound Equipment held by Alex Dunmore kept in OVMH Lockup<br>Additional archive boxes, held by Alex Dunmore kept in OVMH Lockup<br>Rehearsal speaker, held by Tracy Weaver kept in OVMH Lockup|Original cost<br>£432.00<br>£381.00<br>£156.00<br>£49.50<br>£487.00<br>£438.00<br>£2,064.62<br>£100.00<br>£346.00<br>£124.98<br>£36.73<br>£29.99<br>£885.09<br>£198.84<br>£159.99<br>£5,889.74|
|---|---|



- **8** There were no payments authorised by the Management Committee for or on behalf of members for goods or services supplied in the course of that member's trade or business. 

- **9** _Current Debtors and House Prepayments_ 

|These comprise:<br>OVMH - stage light bought on their behalf - paid 02.01.24<br>DG Autos - Cinderella program ad - paid 22.01.24|2023<br>2022<br>£190.00<br>£70.00<br>£260<br>£0|
|---|---|



- **10** The Gift Aid claim for 2023 was £1000 compared with last year's amount of £812.31. Last year's estimate was £800 for 2022. The £12.31 surplus has been reflected in 2023 income. 

- **11** Sevenoaks Arts Council continue to provide underwriting support for our productions. £750 was received in 2023 relating to the loss made on Sweet Charity. 

- **12** Performance prepayments consist of amounts paid in the current year which relate to shows to be performed in the following year, comprising performance license fees, rehearsal room hire, script hire, venue deposits, costumes, props, and festival entry fees, offset by attributable show fees received. Prepayments were attributable to the following shows: Cinderella: £277.84 

Chess: £787.56 



## **Income & Expenditure** 

|**For the 12 months ended 31st December 2023**<br>**Income**<br>Production surplus/(deficit) for year<br>_Note 2_<br>Members Subscriptions<br>Interest receivable<br>Donations received<br>Surplus from Social Events<br>Gift Aid tax recovery<br>_Note 10_<br>**Expenses**<br>AGM expenses<br>Insurance<br>Post, Phones and Stationery<br>Publicity & Marketing incl. Website<br>Society Subscriptions<br>Donations made<br>_Note 4_<br>Write off of capital expenditure<br>Storage / Workshop hire<br>Other Costs /(income)<br>_Note 5_<br>**Overall Surplus/(Deficit)**<br>**Transferred to**<br>Accumulated Fund<br>Social Fund|£<br>(3,239)<br>1,382<br>180<br>128<br>1,218<br>1,012<br>3,921<br>**682**<br>198<br>654<br>0<br>61<br>325<br>100<br>359<br>1,440<br>742<br>**3,879**<br>**(3,197)**<br>**(4,415)**<br>**1,218**<br>**(3,197)**<br>**31 December 2023**|£<br>691<br>1,304<br>33<br>33<br>(1,297)<br>908<br>981<br>**1,672**<br>121<br>651<br>28<br>29<br>280<br>263<br>885<br>1,440<br>535<br>**4,232**<br>**(2,560)**<br>**(1,264)**<br>**(1,297)**<br>**(2,560)**<br>**31 December 2022**|
|---|---|---|





## **Profit & Loss for productions through the year** 


**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
Sleeping  Sweet  Ordinary<br>Cinderella<br>Beauty Charity Days<br>INCOME<br>Ticket sales 4,693 17,992 1,862 3841 28,389<br>Show fees 275 2,537 88 177 3,076<br>Other receipts 1,530 0 706 1510 3,747<br>TOTAL INCOME 6,498 20,529 2,657 5,528 35,212<br>EXPENDITURE<br>Theatre hire & charges (520) (8,360) (1,200) (652) (10,732)<br>Lighting & sound 0 (2,514) (20) (50) (2,584)<br>Orchestra & MD 0 (6,480) (1,444) 0 (7,924)<br>Royalties & copies (300) (4,155) (1,646) (330) (6,431)<br>Printing & publicity (328) (884) (532) (552) (2,297)<br>Set, furniture & props (114) (1,093) (113) (302) (1,622)<br>Costumes, hair & makeup (659) (1,371) (23) (582) (2,635)<br>Auditions & rehearsals (483) (1,952) (836) (1,046) (4,317)<br>Professional fees 0 0 0 0 0<br>Other expenses (640) (389) (180) (585) (1,794)<br>TOTAL EXPENDITURE (3,045) (27,199) (5,993) (4,099) (40,336)<br>Programmes surplus/ (deficit) 140 1,070 0 315 1,525<br>Less: Donations Paid 0 0 0 0 0<br>Add: Donations Received Note 11 0 750 0 0 750<br>TOTAL SURPLUS 3,593 (4,850) (3,337) 1,744 (2,849)<br>Surplus from full productions in the year ended 31st December 2023 (2,849)<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


## **Festival entries** 


**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
Income  0<br>Royalties 0<br>Other exp. 0<br>0 0<br>Costs relating to 2022 shows<br>Show Fee 60<br>Orchestra (450)<br>(390) (390)<br>(3,239)<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>




## **Independent Examiner's Report on the Accounts** 

## **Report to the Trustees and Members of Sevenoaks Players:** 

## **Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner** 

The Charity's Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the Accounts and they consider that the audit requirement of Section 43(2) of the Chairites Act 1993 (the 'Act') does not apply. 

It is my responsibility to state, on a basis of procedures specified in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners under section 43(7)(b) of the Act, whether particular matters have come to my attention. 

## **Basis of Examiner's Report** 

My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners.  An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the Accounts presented with those records.  It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the Accounts and seeking explanations from the Trustees concerning any such matters. 

The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the Accounts. 

## **Examiner's statement** 

I have been able to complete my review of the Accounts of Sevenoaks Players for the year ending 31st December 2023 and the balance sheet for the organisation at that date. Nothing in my examination or the explanations of unusual items has come to my attention that would give me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements: 

(a)    to keep accounting records in accordance with section 41 of the Act and 

(b)    to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Act 

have not been met to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the Accounts to be reached. 

**Nana Barfi Independent Examiner** _**21 Loughborough Drive**_ **Broughton Milton Keynes MK10 7DZ** 

## **10 April 2024** 




**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
Musicals Dramas<br>2006 Yeoman of the Guard £5,360 Importance of being Earnest £1,185<br>2007 Me & My Girl £2,017 Rebecca -£1,828<br>2008 Oliver -£1,117 Murdered to Death -£769<br>2009 Princess Ida -£3,587 The Woman in White £1,343<br>2010 Anything Goes -£6,061 Hayfever / Bumms on Seats £546<br>2011 The King & I -£4,373 Hound of the Baskervilles £1,050<br>2012 Pirates of Penzance £1,151 Calendar Girls £10,952<br>2013 Chess -£339 Rumours -£2,507<br>2014 South Pacific £2,288 An Inspector Calls £12,620<br>2015 Sweeney Todd -£3,343 Great Gatsby -£7,562<br>2016 Sister Act -£3,663 Railway Children £217<br>2017 Hairspray £2,422 39 Steps £2,236<br>2018 Whistle Down the Wind -£9,501 The Graduate -£2,488<br>2019 Jesus Christ Superstar £5,001 Pygmalion £2,757<br>2020 Oklahoma (cancelled due to COVID 19) -£2,264 N/A £0<br>2021 Musical Mixup/When The Lights Go On Again £31 Back on the Boards -£657<br>2022 Alice in Wonderland Pantomime/HMS Pinafore -£1,455 An Appointment With Death £2,146<br>2023 Sleeping Beauty/Sweet Charity/Ordinary Days/Cinderella -£2,849 N/A £0<br>Total income / expenditure -£20,282 Total income / expenditure £19,242<br>Average -£1,127 Average £1,069<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


