| Bedford Players Trust Report ofthe Trustees Forthe year ended 31 March 2022 |
Bedford Players Trust Report ofthe Trustees Forthe year ended 31 March 2022 |
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| The Trustees, who are also Directom, present their report and financial statements for the year |
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| ended 31 March 2022. | |
| Structure. Governance and Management |
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| Bedford Players Trust was incorporated on 7 August 1984,as a company limited by guarantee |
no. |
| 1839042.not having a share capital and being a registered charity in England and Wales no. |
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| 290124.The governing document ofthe charity is the Memorandum snd Articles ofAssociation |
as |
| emended. | |
| The Trustees continue to carry out regular skills audits to Identify gapa in the diversity ofthe board and continue to seek to address that. Two new trustees were appointed during the year snd a further three have been approached to join the board sometime in 2022/23. In the meantime they have formed the basis ofan Advisory Group giving specialist support in the areas of Environmental Development and Regeneration, Youth Arts and Venue Management and Accessibility and Cultural Development. This will then bring the Board membership to 9, all of whom are volunteers. The Board is responsible for the strategic development ofthe Charity and the day to day management is vested in the management team presided over by a trustee acting Charity f�ogow |
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| as Chief Operations Officer In an unpaid capacity. |
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| This year saw an improvement In the activities ofthe the diflicultles ofthe |
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| previous two years due to the pandemic. In late 2020 the trustees took the decision, due to |
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| uncertainty caused by the pandemic and the on/off approach by government reganling national |
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| and local lockdowns, not to open the venue to the public until September 2021.This meant that |
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| for almost 6 months ofthe year the venue remained closed indoors. In order to compensate for |
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| this snd with financial support from DCMS through the Arts Council we were able to ornate an |
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| outdoor space in which we were able to deliver a novel limited outdoor programme. This proved |
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| success though was hampered in being able to develop to its full potential due to the |
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| unpredictable weather. We continued to deliver events online during this period, something which |
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| we continue to do as part ofour overall offer. | |
| The closure duing the early part ofthe year meant that one ofour more interesting projects, Game |
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| Play Festival, had to be postponed again and eventually ended up as a series ofsmall events, |
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| some face to face and the majority online. This project had been funded by the Arts Council and |
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| the Foyle Foundation and we are grateful for their forebearance in the delay in the delivery ofthe |
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| project. | |
| The Charity was able to continue its operations due to receiving support from the Arts Council in the form ofthe Cultural Recovery Funds as well as from other fenders, The Harpur Trust and Sylvia Wsddilove Foundation UK. The Charity also continued to receive, when appropriate, firn |
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| support from Government through the local authority ofthe Local Government Restrictions Grant. |
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| As a result ofthis funding the Charity was able to continue all its freelance contracts. The trustees, |
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| having commissioned the preparation of reports from an outside expert on the provision of Youth |
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| Theatre during the larier part of2020/21, were able to prepare a successful bid for funding of |
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| youth theatre provision to The House of Industry. The intention had been to commence the |
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| delivery ofthe project, which included an Inclusive Youth Theatre across the age ranges of8to |
18 |
| and Future Arts Leaders (a part time paid engagement for 3 young people aged 18to 25 to gain experience ofthe arts indutry in a working venue), in September but due to the timing ofthe grant |
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| itwas decided to defer until September 2022 and to seek further funding to extend the project. |
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| This was successful and funding was obtained from the Foyle Foundation in April 2022, this being |
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| the second grant from the foundation for which the trustees are very grateful. |
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| During tlie year we have been able to continue the delivery ofa number ofprojects and to develop | |
| new ones by securing further funding for them from the Bedfordshire and Luton Community |
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| Foundation, to enable the long running youth programme ofgaming activities to continue, the BFI |
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| and ICO for an increasing programme and to provide the opportunity for young people to gain |
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| experience in film programming through the Young Film Programmers project; National Loffery |
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| Community Fund towards a project leading up to Christmas to tackle loneliness and isolation. |
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| The Trustees would therefore like to thank the following funders for their support over the difficult |
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| period caused by the pandemic and the team st The Place for their hard work and enthusiasm in |
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| obtaining funding to enable the charity to continue and develop its work: |
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| Arts Council England | |
| The Harpur Trust |
| Report ofthe Trustees (continued) Forthe year ended 31March 2022 |
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| The Trustees continue to monitor and review the risk assessment process as an on-going |
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| requirement. The pandemic obviously had an effect on the operation ofthe Charity, particularly |
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| with regard to the venue, which was unfortunate as it followed the Charity's most successful year. |
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| However, the Trustees' confidence that the Charity would recover during 2021/22 has been borne |
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| out. The recovery has been slower than had been hoped for prlmarily due to three factors: - a |
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| continued reluctance ofour audience to return to attending indoor activity (a situation experienced |
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| by many venues within the industry), the delivery ofa new concept for the venue - sn outdoor |
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| space which had been particularly adapted for that purpose - which was not helped by the |
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| unpredictable weather over the summer, and the lack of small scale product available. The laNer |
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| started to improve early in 2022 and has led to us being able to iiefiver a full programme ofwork |
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| from both community and professional companies during the fourth quarter ofthe year and into |
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| 2022/23. The |
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| Charity considers that it is in a good position to continue its development as a highly recognised |
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| asset in the cultural life ofthe town and to swiftly recover its financial posiTion pre-pandemic in |
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| 2022/23. | ||
| Objectives and Activities | ||
| The principal activity and the objemive ofthe charitable company isto educate the public in the |
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| Arts and to further the development ofpublic appreciation in the Arts. |
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| Achievements and Performance ofpublic benefNs |
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| The charitable company has continued its business of promoting theatrical projects as well |
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| developing its cooperation and close working with other organisations in the Arts and Cultural |
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| sectors and the Third Sector. Theatre productions took place on an increasing basis from |
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| September 2021 and attendances increased slowly from the time that the venue reopened. The |
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| productions are widely promoted throughout Bedford and the surrounding areas by a variety |
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| means. The Charity, through members of the Marketing Team, has developed a working |
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| relationship with a number ofcommunity based arts publications to get to s different audience |
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| to support community activity. I/se of the meeting rooms at The Place Theatre continues |
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| increase by established groups representative of the wider community and there has been |
a | |
| noticeable increase in the number of schools and specialist dance and theatre schools using |
the | |
| venue in recent months, something which we believe is likely to continue, in view of the interest |
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| re-booking and new enquiries. |
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| The Charity has addressed pubgc benefit purposes including: |
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| - Promoting theatrical projects in an environment which encourages amateur artists to develop. |
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| - Of/ering opportunities for a broad range of people from different backgrounds to get involved in |
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| the Arts. | ||
| Widening its reach into amas of Bedford's diverse community to engage with them through the |
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| sharing ofarts snd culture as well as showing that the venue is open and available to them. |
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| - Continuing to adopt a policy ofaffordability so that as few people as is practical are excluded by |
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| price. | ||
| In carrying out these objectives the Trustees have complied with the duty in Section 4ofthe |
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| Charities Act 201I to have due regard to the Charity Commission's pubfished general and relevant |
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| sub sector guidance concerning the operation ofthe Public Benefit requirement under the Act and |
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| in particular to its supplementary public benefit guidance on fee charging. |
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| Financial Review 8 Reserves Policy | ||
| It is the long term policy ofthe Trustees to increase the reserves ofthe charity. During this year |
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| the general reserves decreased by E2,686 (2021:E1,386increase). The general fund ofE21,856 |
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| (2021:E13,889)at the year end is represented by the assets and fiabfiities as set out in the |
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| Balance Sheet. | ||
| Investment Pogcy |
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| The Trusts investment policy is to keep its funds in the Trust's main bank account. |
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| Related Parties | ||
| As set out in note 10the charity has a close relationship with Bedford Theatre Trust Ltd with the |
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| majority ofthe current trustees also being trustees ofthat charity. During the year the Trust |
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| received a grant ofE1,250(2021:E8,160)from Bedford Theatre Trust Ltd. |
| Notes | Unrestricted | Total | Total | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | Restricted | |||||
| Fund | Fund | 2022 | 2021 | |||
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | |||
| Incoming resources | ||||||
| Activities in furtherance |
of | |||||
| the charity's ob)ectives: | ||||||
| Rental income | 17,314 | 17,314 | 1,350 | |||
| Grants | 153,343 | 40,175 | 193,518 | 179,397 | ||
| Other | 24,106 | 24,106 | 4,563 | |||
| Ticket sales | 55,281 | 55,281 | ||||
| Total incoming resources | 250,044 | |||||
| Resources expended | ||||||
| Fundraising and publicity |
31,234 | 31,234 | 16,879 | |||
| Direct charitable expenditure: |
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| Theatre expenditure | 159,076 | 50,828 | 209,904 | 153,005 | ||
| Promotions | 23,840 | 23,840 | 2,578 | |||
| Wages and salaries | 27,327 | |||||
| 241,477 | ||||||
| Governance costs |
600 | 600 | 600 | |||
| Total resources expended | 242 077 | 50828 | 292 | 905 | 183,924 | |
| Movement In total funds |
for the year | 7,967 | (10,653) | (2,686) | 1,386 | |
| Transfer between funds | ||||||
| Fund balances brought forward |
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| at 1 April | 13,889 | 20,406 | 34,295 | 32,909 | ||
| Fund balance carried forward | ||||||
| at 31March | 7,8 | 21,856 | 3 | |||
| The notes on pages 8to 11form part ofthese financial statements. |
| as at 31March 20 | 22 | |||||
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| Notes | 2022 8 |
2021f | ||||
| Fixed assets | ||||||
| Tangible assets | 35,885 | 41,474 | ||||
| Current assets | ||||||
| Debtors | 5 | 3,233 | 9,915 | |||
| Cash at bank and in | hand | 47,155 | 43,917 | |||
| 50,388 | 53,832 | |||||
| Creditors: amounts | falling due | |||||
| within one year | 6 | (15,096) | (17,291) | |||
| Net current assets | 35,292 | 36,541 | ||||
| Total assets less current | ||||||
| liabilities | 71,177 | 78,015 | ||||
| Creditors: amounts | falling due | |||||
| after one year | (39,568) | (43,720) | ||||
| Net assets | 31,609 | 34,295 | ||||
| Represented by: |
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| Unrestricted funds |
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| General fund | 21,856 | 13,889 | ||||
| Restricted funds |
9,753 | 20,406 | ||||
| 31,609 | 34,295 |
| General | |||||||||
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| fund | Restricted | 2022 Total | 2021 Total | ||||||
| E | E | E | |||||||
| Fundraising | and | publicity: | |||||||
| Marketing and promotion |
31,234 | 31,234 | 16,879 | ||||||
| Direct charitable | expenditure: | ||||||||
| Utilities | 11,272 | 11,272 | 4,787 | ||||||
| Depreciation | 6,073 | 6,073 | 5,998 | ||||||
| Repairs and | maintenance | 9,392 | 9,392 | 16,073 | |||||
| Other theatre | expenditure | 107,933 | 50,828 | 158,761 | 107,873 | ||||
| 134,670 | 50,828 | 185,498 | 134,731 | ||||||
| Other charitable | expenditure: | ||||||||
| Bank charges | 2,549 | 2,549 | 325 | ||||||
| Insurance | 1,199 | 1,199 | 2,400 | ||||||
| Sundries | 3,497 | 3,497 | 2,690 | ||||||
| Arts co-ordinator | 16,728 | 16,728 | 12,324 | ||||||
| Promoiions | 23,119 | 23,119 | 2,578 | ||||||
| Entertainment | 721 | 721 | |||||||
| Wages and salaries | 27,327 | 27,327 | 10,862 | ||||||
| Training | 433 | 433 | 535 | ||||||
| 75,573 | 75,573 | 31,714 | |||||||
| 7 t t 3 it |
hi | 3 | hit | 247 477 | 55828 | 282355 | 783324 | ||
| Governance | costs | 600 | 600 | 600 | |||||
| Total resources expended | 242,077 | 50,828 | 292,905 | 183924 | |||||
| 3 | Governance | costs | |||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||
| E | E | ||||||||
| Independent | examiner's | fees | 600 | 600 |
| 4 | Fixed assets | ||||
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| Leasehold | Fixtures | Total | |||
| building | and fittings | ||||
| improvements | |||||
| Cost | |||||
| As at 1 April 2021 | 142,408 | 20,046 | 162,454 | ||
| Additions | 484 | 484 | |||
| As at 31 March 2022 | 142408 | 220531 | 162,938 | ||
| Depreciation | |||||
| As at 1 Apdil 2021 | 101,756 | 19,224 | 120,980 | ||
| Charge for the year As at 31 March 2022 |
5,696 III7,452 |
377 ~9, |
6,073 127,053 |
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| Net book value | |||||
| As at 31 March 2022 | 34 956 | 929 | 35,885 | ||
| As at 31 March 2021 | 40 652 | 822 | 41 474 | ||
| 5 | Debtors | 2022 | 2021 | ||
| 6 | |||||
| Trade debtors | 3,233 | ||||
| Other debtors and accrued income | 9,915 | ||||
| 3,233 | 9,915 | ||||
| 6 | Creditors: amounts | falling due within one year | 2022 | 2021 | |
| 6 | |||||
| Bank loans and overdrafts | 5,180 | 5,179 | |||
| Trade creditors | 7,732 | 10,997 | |||
| Other creditors and accruals | 2,184 | 1,115 | |||
| 15,096 | 17,291 |
| fo | rthe year e | nd | ed 31 | M | arch 2022 | |||||
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| 7 | Movement | In | funds | |||||||
| Movement for the | year | |||||||||
| Balance ss | Incoming | Resources | Transfers | Balance as | ||||||
| at 1 Aprg | resources | expended | at 31 March | |||||||
| 2021f | 2022f | |||||||||
| Unrestricted | general | fund | ||||||||
| Other grants | and donations | 153,343 | (153,343) | |||||||
| Rental income | 17,314 | (17,314) | ||||||||
| Other income | 24,106 | (24,106) | ||||||||
| Ticket sales | 55,281 | (55,281) | ||||||||
| Leasehold improvements |
and | |||||||||
| other net assets held | by | fund | 13,889 | 7,967 | 21,856 | |||||
| Restricted | funds | 20,406 | 9,753 | |||||||
| 31609 |