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2023-07-31-accounts

ST ALBANS BACH CHOIR

REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] JULY 2023

Registered Charity No: 285602

ST ALBANS BACH CHOIR ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] JULY 2023


CONTENTS

Charity information 2
Trustees’ Report 3 - 4
Independent Examiner’s Report 5
Statement of Financial Activities 6
Balance Sheet 7
Notes to the accounts 8 - 19

1

ST ALBANS BACH CHOIR ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] JULY 2023


CHARITY INFORMATION

Trustees

V Burgess (to AGM 2022) J Chandler-Smith A Howse N Salisbury C Stephenson C Wood (from AGM 2022)

J Burke C Godfrey (to AGM 2022) J Likierman (to AGM 2022) M G Spencer A Stevens (from AGM 2022)

Principal Address

3 Popes Road Abbots Langley Hertfordshire WD5 0EY

Charity Registration Number

285602

Independent Examiner

S Robinson Mercer & Hole LLP Chartered Accountants 420 Silbury Boulevard Central Milton Keynes Buckinghamshire MK9 2AF

Principal Bankers

Lloyds Bank plc 67 High Street Watford Herts WD17 2DU

COIF Charities Deposit Fund CCLA Investment Managers Limited Senator House 85 Queen Victoria Street London EC4V 4ET

2

ST ALBANS BACH CHOIR ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] JULY 2023


TRUSTEES’ REPORT

The trustees present their annual report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31[st] July 2023.

Constitution and objects for the public benefit

The charity is governed by its constitution, last revised in June 2002. The constitution contains no restrictions. It is administered by a committee, members of which are elected at the Annual General Meeting to serve for a minimum of three years. Committee members are recruited from the membership of the choir and act as the charity’s trustees. Induction training is provided for all new trustees.

The trustees confirm that they have made reference to the guidance of the Charities Commission general guidance on public benefits when reviewing their aims, objectives and future activities of the charity.

The objects of the charity are to improve public appreciation of music through choral concerts.

Review of the Development, Activities and Achievements of the Charity, and how the Charity delivers public benefit

The deficit for the year amounted to £6,308.

Reserves

The accumulated funds as at 31[st] July 2023 were £92,302 of which £6,750 related to designated funds.

The trustees have determined that an appropriate level of available reserves should be equivalent to at least twelve months’ expenditure.

Investments

The charity’s constitution requires its assets to be invested in Great Britain, in bank accounts or safe interestbearing securities.

3

ST ALBANS BACH CHOIR ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] JULY 2023


TRUSTEES’ REPORT (continued)

Major risks

The trustees have taken steps to identify the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and systems have been established to mitigate those risks.

Future Development

With operations having returned to normal in the 2022-23 season, the Trustees are busy planning for the Choir’s Centenary in 2024.

Trustees’ Responsibilities in relation to the Financial Statements

The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards.

The law applicable to charities in England and Wales 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 charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Signed on behalf of the trustees

.................................................... N Salisbury .................................................... C Stephenson Date: 10[th] October 2023

4

ST ALBANS BACH CHOIR ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] JULY 2023


INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF ST ALBANS BACH CHOIR

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31[st] July 2023 which are set out on pages 1 to 19.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity’s trustees 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 charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 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.

Independent examiner's statement

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 charity 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.

Steve Robinson FCA Mercer & Hole LLP 420 Silbury Boulevard Central Milton Keynes MK9 2AF

Date October 2023

5

ST ALBANS BACH CHOIR ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] JULY 2023


STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES ACTIVITIES
Unrestricted Unrestricted Total Total
General Designated Unrestricted Unrestricted
Note Funds Funds 2023 2022
Income: £ £ £ £
Subscriptions 2 33,640 - 33,640 28,214
Legacies and donations 3 - - - 78
Interest 1,131 - 1,131 120
Taxation recovered from Gift Aid 7,133 - 7,133 5,957
Carol concert 4 11,579 - 11,579 13,560
Major concerts 5 20,637 - 20,637 34,685
Other income 6 2,336 - 2,336 1,088
__ __ __ __
Total income 76,456 - 76,456 83,702
__ __ __ __
Expenditure:
Charitable Expenditure
Carol concert 4 11,208 - 11,208 10,875
Major concerts 5 67,760 - 67,760 92,060
__ __ __ __
78,968 - 78,968 102,935
Management and Administration
Administration costs - - - -
Subscriptions and affiliation fees 757 - 757 734
Audition costs 7 2,011 - 2,011 471
Singing lessons and workshops (net) 1,145 - 1,145 385
Website and IT 259 - 259 329
Sundry expenses 8 80 - 80 363
__ __ __ __
Total expenditure 83,220 - 83,220 105,217
__ __ __ __
Net expenditure/income before
gains on investments
(6,764) - (6,764) (21,515)
Gains on investments 11 456 - 456 798
__ __ __ __
Net expenditure/income (6,308) - (6,308) (20,717)
Transfer between funds - - - -
__ __ __ __
Net movement in funds (6,308) (6,308) (20,717)
Total funds brought forward 91,860 6,750 98,610 119,327
__ __ __ __
Total funds carried forward 14 85,552 6,750 92,302 98,610
========= ========= ========= =========
The notes on pages 8 to 19 form part of these accounts

6

ST ALBANS BACH CHOIR ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] JULY 2023


BALANCE SHEET

2023 2022
Note £ £ £ £
Fixed assets
Floodlighting and music stands at cost 658 658
Less accumulated depreciation (658) (658)
Investments: COIF Investment account 11 48,370 47,914
__ __
48,370 47,914
Current assets
Stock of music 626 626
Debtors 12 - 7,794
Cash at bank: Lloyds Treasurers account 1,046 3,493
Cash at bank: COIF Deposit account 42,730 42,099
Cash in hand - -
__ __
44,402 54,012
Creditors: amounts falling due within
one year
13 (470) (3,316)
__ __
Net current assets 43,932 50,696
__ __
Net assets 92,302 98,610
========= =========
Accumulated funds
Unrestricted general funds 14 85,552 91,860
Designated funds 14 6,750 6,750
__ __
Total charity funds 15 92,302 98,610
========= =========

Approved by the Board of Trustees and signed on its behalf by

................................................ C Stephenson

Date: 10[th] October 2023

The notes on pages 8 to 19 form part of these accounts

7

ST ALBANS BACH CHOIR ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] JULY 2023


NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

1. Accounting policies

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with 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) (issued in October 2019) – (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historic cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note.

The financial statements have been prepared to give a ‘true and fair’ view and have therefore necessarily departed from the extant Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a ‘true and fair’ view. This departure has involved following the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued on 16 July 2014 rather than the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities effective from 1 April 2005, which has since been withdrawn.

The charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs to that category.

Going Concern

At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

Income

Voluntary income including donations are recognised where there is entitlement, certainty of receipt and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability.

Subscription income is recognised when received from members.

Concert income represents the gross receipts. A breakdown of the income and expenditure for each concert is shown in the notes to the accounts.

Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.

8

ST ALBANS BACH CHOIR ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] JULY 2023


NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued)

1. Accounting policies (continued)

Investments

Investments in equity instruments which are not subsidiaries, associates or joint ventures, are initially measured at fair value, which is normally the transaction price. Such assets are subsequently carried at fair value and the changes in fair value are recognised in the profit and loss accounts.

Fixed assets

Individual fixed assets costing £500 or more are capitalised at cost and are depreciated over their estimated useful economic lives on a straight line basis as follows:

Floodlighting and music stands 5 years

Stock

Stock is included at the lower of cost or net realisable value.

Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid after taking into account of any trade discounts offered.

Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

Financial Instruments

The charity only has financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.

Creditors and provisions

Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in a transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

2. Subscriptions 2023 2022
Singers 33,150 26,724
Friends 490 1,490
__ __
33,640 28,214
========= =========

9

ST ALBANS BACH CHOIR ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] JULY 2023


NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued)

3. Donations Unrestricted Designated Total Total
Funds Funds 2023 2022
General donations - - - 78
Legacies - - - -
______ ______ ______ ______
- - - 78
======= ======= ======= ======
4. Carol concerts Dec 2022
£ £
Tickets sales 11,387
Less: commission (1,366)
__
10,021
Sundry income – music sales 121
Sundry income – flowers and candles (net) 71
__
10,213
Conductor 1,115
Brass Quintet 1,350
Organist 625
Pianist 210
Venue costs 3,773
Design and printing 665
Publicity 355
Rehearsals 1,715
Miscellaneous expenses 34
__
(9,842)
__
Surplus 371
=========

10

ST ALBANS BACH CHOIR ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] JULY 2023


NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued)

5. Major Concerts Note Gross Expenses Deficit
income
November 2022 –Durufle Requiem and
Mozart Vespers
5a 10,284 (26,778) (16,494)
April 2023 –Dvorak Requiem 5b 8,048 (34,011) (25,963)
July 2023 –Berlioz Te Deum 5c 2,305 (6,971) (4,666)
______ ______ _
20,637 (67,760) (47,123)
======= ======== =========

11

ST ALBANS BACH CHOIR ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] JULY 2023


NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued)

5a. November 2022 –Durufle Requiem and Mozart Vespers Nov 2022
Ticket sales 8,767
Less: commission (1,052)
______
7,715
Programmes (including adverts) 622
Sundry income – music sales (net) 168
______
8,505
Conductor 1,115
Orchestra 12,312
Soloists 2,775
Instrument hire 129
Chorus tenors 175
Music hire -
Venue hire 3,516
Design and printing 900
Publicity 445
Rehearsals: Conductor 1,482
Rehearsals: Accompanist 640
Rehearsals: Venue hire 1,510
Rehearsals: Vocal coach -
Miscellaneous expenses -
__
(24,999)
__
Deficit (16,494)
=========

12

ST ALBANS BACH CHOIR ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] JULY 2023


NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued)

5b. April 2023 –Dvorak Requiem Apr 2023
Ticket sales 7,151
Less: commission (858)
______
6,293
Programmes (including adverts) 647
Sundry income – music sales (net) 86
______
7,026
Conductor 1,115
Orchestra 17,749
Soloists 3,886
Instrument hire 138
Chorus tenors 350
Music hire -
Venue hire 3,798
Design and printing 770
Publicity 790
Rehearsals: Conductor 1,794
Rehearsals: Accompanist 920
Rehearsals: Venue hire 1,429
Rehearsals: Vocal coach 250
Miscellaneous expenses -
__
(32,989)
__
Deficit (25,963)
=========

13

ST ALBANS BACH CHOIR ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] JULY 2023


NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued)

5c. July 2023 –Berlioz Te Deum (IOF) Jul 2023
Ticket sales -
Less: commission -
______
-
Grant from Williams Church Music Trust 2,000
Programmes (including adverts) -
Sundry income – music sales (net) 71
______
2,071
Conductor 1,350
Orchestra -
Soloists -
Instrument hire -
Chorus tenors and basses 1,365
Music hire -
Venue hire -
Design and printing -
Publicity -
Rehearsals: Conductor 1,833
Rehearsals: Accompanist 820
Rehearsals: Venue hire 1,230
Rehearsals: Vocal coach 125
Miscellaneous expenses 14
__
(6,737)
__
Deficit (4,666)
=========

This concert was part of the 50[th ] St Albans International Organ Festival who paid for the costs of the concert and collected the ticket income.

14

ST ALBANS BACH CHOIR ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] JULY 2023


NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued)

6. Other income 2023 2022
Folders 105 116
Celebration choir 1,920 713
Amazon/easyfundraising 156 259
Social events 155 -
_ _
2,336 1,088
======== ========
7. Audition expenses 2023 2022
New members 425 471
Re-auditions 1,586 -
__ __
2,011 471
========= =========
8. Sundry expenses 2023 2022
Social events - 261
Other sundry expenses 80 102
__ __
80 363
========= =========

9. Trustee remuneration and expenses, and the cost of key management personnel

None of the trustees received any remuneration nor any reimbursement for expenses.

The key management personnel of the charity comprise the trustees only. The total employee benefits of the key management personnel of the charity were £nil (2022: £nil)

15

ST ALBANS BACH CHOIR ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] JULY 2023


NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued)

10. Staff Numbers

No staff were employed by the charity in the year (2022: nil)

11. Fixed asset investments Investments other
than loans
£
Valuation at 1stAugust 2022 47,914
Additions -
Fair value adjustments 456
Disposals -
__
Valuation at 31stJuly 2023 48,370
=========
12. Debtors 2023 2022
Subscriptions in advance - -
Prepayments and accrued income - 7,794
__ __
- 7,794
========= =========
13. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year 2023 2022
Trade creditors - 1,316
Deferred income 470 2,000
__ __
470 3,316
========= =========

16

ST ALBANS BACH CHOIR ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] JULY 2023


NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued)

14. Movement of Funds

Movement of Funds
Balance at
1st August
2022
Net income/
(expenditure)
Transfer
of funds
Gain on
investments
Balance at
31st July 2023
Unrestricted funds
General fund 91,860 (6,764) - 456 85,552
Designated funds
Mercers’ Company 250 - - - 250
Bell Legacy 1,000 - - - 1,000
Berdinner Legacy 4,000 - - - 4,000
Roberts Legacy 1,500 - - - 1,500
__ __ __ __ __
98,610 (6,764) - 456 92,302
========= ========= ========= ========= =========

The designated funds comprise: £250 (of a total of £750) received from the Mercers’ Company to promote the use of Young Artists, a legacy of £1,000 from a former member’s family which will be ear-marked to use to promote Young Artists and legacies from former members which will be used for a future concert of music by JS Bach.

Movement of Funds – comparative figures

Balance at
1st August
2021
Net income/
(expenditure)
Transfer
of funds
Gain on
investment
Balance at
31st July 2022
Unrestricted funds
General fund 108,577 (21,515) 4,000 798 91,860
Designated funds
Mercers’ Company 250 - - 250
Bell Legacy 1,000 - - 1,000
Berdinner Legacy 8,000 - (4,000) - 4,000
Roberts Legacy 1,500 - - - 1,500
__ __ __ __ __
119,327 (21,515) - 798 98,610
========= ========= ========= ========= =========

The designated funds comprise: £250 (of a total of £750) received from the Mercers’ Company to promote the use of Young Artists, a legacy of £1,000 from a former member’s family which will be ear-marked to use to promote Young Artists and legacies from former members which will be used for a future concert of music by JS Bach. £4,000 from the Berdinner Legacy was used towards the cost of the Bach St John Passion concert in April 2023.

17

ST ALBANS BACH CHOIR ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] JULY 2023


NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued)

15. Analysis of Net Assets between Funds Unrestricted Designated Total
Funds Funds Funds
£ £ £
Current assets 86,022 6,750 92,772
Current liabilities (470) - (470)
__ __ __
Balance at 31stJuly 2023 85,552 6,750 92,302
========= ========= =========
Analysis of Net Assets between Funds – comparative figures
Unrestricted Designated Total
Funds Funds Funds
£ £ £
Current assets 95,176 67,50 101,926
Current liabilities (3,316) - (3,316)
__ __ __
Balance at 31stJuly 2022 91,860 6,750 98,610
========= ========= =========

16. Related Party Transactions

There are no related party transactions that require disclosure in the accounts.

17. Independent Examiner’s Fee

The independent examiner’s fee for 2023 was £nil (2022: £nil).

18. Post Balance Sheet Events

There are no post balance sheet events to report.

18

ST ALBANS BACH CHOIR ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] JULY 2023


NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued)

19. Statement of Financial Activities
2022
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
Total
General Funds
Designated Funds
2022
Income:
£
£
£
Subscriptions
28,214
-
28,214
Legacies and donations
78
-
78
Interest
120
-
120
Taxation recovered from Gift Aid
5,957
-
5,957
Major concerts
34,685
-
34,685
Carol concert
13,560
-
13,560
Other income
1,088
-
1,088
_
_

_
Total income
83,702
-
83,702
_

_
_

Expenditure:
Charitable Expenditure
Major concerts
92,060
-
92,060
Carol concert
10,875
-
10,875
_
_

_
102,935
-
102,935
Management and Administration
Administration costs
-
-
-
Subscriptions and affiliation fees
734
-
734
Audition costs
471
-
471
Singing lessons (net)
385
-
385
Website and IT
329
-
329
Sundry expenses
363
-
363
_

_
_

Total expenditure
105,217
-
105,217
_
_

_
Net expenditure before gains on
investments
(21,515)
-
(21,515)
Gains on investments
798
-
798
_

_
_

Net expenditure
(20,717)
-
(20,717)
Transfer between funds
4,000
(4,000)
-
_
_

_
Net movement in funds
(16,717)
(4,000)
(20,717)
Total funds brought forward
108,577
10,750
119,327
_

_
_

Total funds carried forward
91,860
6,750
98,610
=========
=========
=========

19