Wllllam Peter WeatherMI I, Milfoll Avenue )nlburrow. Mllton Keynes MK14 7DY Tel 01908 675146 onernllfoil.c( eterw IndedeTht examln*s report to the Trustees of the Palton Keynes Slnfonla ( The TNst I I report to the charity trustee5 on rny examinati( of the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31 Au8USt 2023 Responslbmlty and basls of the report As the trustees of the Trust. you are re5pon5ible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities and Trustee Investment IS¢otlandl 2Q)51 the'2005 AcVI.-, the ChaTltles Accounts (Scotlandl Re8ulatlons 2006 las mended), and the Charities Act 20111 the'2011 Act). You are satisfied that your charity is not required by charity law to be audited and have thosen instead to have an independent examination. I report in respect of my examination of the Trusys accounts carried out under section 4411) Icl of the 2005 Act and sertion 145 of the 2011 Act. In carrying out my examination I have followed the requirements of Re8ulath?n 11 of the Charities Accounts I Scotlandl Regulats'ons 20061 as amended l and all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commlssion under sertion 14515llbl of the 2011 ACL Ind•p¢ndent •x•mlnerfs statemmt I have completed my examination. I conflrm the NO motters have ¢¢me to my attentlon 8lvln8 me cause to believe that In any material respect ,' accounting records were not kept as required by sectbon 44 Illlal of the 2IyJ5 Act and Regulation 4 of the Charities Accounts I Scotlandl Regulations 2(K16 las amendedl and section 130 of the 2011 Act: or the accounts do not accord with those records: and the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of Re8ulation 8 of the Charities Accounts (Scotlandl Regulations 2006 las amended). 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 understsndin8 of the attounts to be reached. 518ned William P Associate of the Institute of Bankers l Milfoil Avenue. Conniburrow. Milton Keyn. MK14 7DY Dated l. IZ .2013 er Weat
Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1[st] September 2022 To 31[st] August 2023
Charity name: Milton Keynes Sinfonia
Charity registration number: 296360
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | The object of the orchestra is to enable musicians in the local community to come together to practice orchestral music and perform publicly in the Milton Keynes locality. To promote the pleasure gained from communal music making and to encourage its benefits for all; performers and audience alike. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
Performance of three main concerts (and additional performances as agreed by the managing committee of the orchestra) each year. |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | The managing committee comprises 12 volunteers who manage the activities of the orchestra. |
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | The orchestra performed three main concerts and resumed the smaller chamber concert for the first time since Covid. The orchestra broadened its programming by performing music to celebrate John Williams’ 90thbirthday and attracting new audience members, while also promoting relatively unknown English works such as Moeran’s G minor symphony. |
Financial Review
Review of the charity’s Para 1.21 See financial report below financial position at the end of the period
Financial report for period 2021-22
Between 2019-2022, the orchestra’s reserves dropped to £8,000, due to the purchase of percussion instruments and three Covid-affected years. To replenish the reserves (thereby providing security to the orchestra for unexpected events) the orchestra planned its expenditure carefully for 2022-23 through the programming committee, moving to hosting all three main concerts at the Chrysalis Theatre and transitioning from Eventbrite to Sum Up. Expenditure is rising rapidly, particularly the hire of buildings, music and printing costs. Expenditure rose in 2022-23 by over £3,000 and is expected to rise by another £3,000 in 2023-24. However, the large audiences in November and March, return of the Chamber concert and the Twinwood Festival concert has put the orchestra in a very good position to be able to resume more costly projects such as the hire of Petrushka, programming a piano concerto and putting on the Snowman concert. Please note that the income for 2022-23 includes the payment for the Twinwood 2022 (£4,800) and Twinwood 2023 (£4,800) concerts but not the expenditure for Twinwood 2023 which will fall in the 2023-24 financial period.
| Income | 2021-22(£) | 2022-23(£) |
|---|---|---|
| Members' subscriptions | 7,310.00 | 7,600.00 |
| Patrons | 1,036.00 | 1,090.00 |
| Tickets | 2,825.51 | 5,339.32 |
| Programmes | 401.01 | 306.61 |
| Refreshments | 64.60 | 546.50 |
| Twinwood | 0.00 | 9,600.00 |
| Gift Aid | 1,500.19 | 1,661.85 |
| Grants | 0.00 | 300.00 |
| Other | 1,644.07 | 128.82 |
| TOTAL | 14,781.38 | 26,573.10 |
| Expenditure | 2021-22(£) | 2022-23(£) |
| Professional fees | 5,272.00 | 5,982.93 |
| Rehearsal venues | 3,469.20 | 3,098.50 |
| Concert venues | 2,340.00 | 2,479.71 |
| Music hire | 1,930.21 | 1,789.85 |
| Printing (e.g. Programmes) | 500.00 | 498.75 |
| Refreshments | 0.00 | 151.95 |
| Twinwood | 0.00 | 2,975.05 |
| Other | 886.84 | 519.99 |
| TOTAL | 14,398.25 | 17,496.73 |
| Profit/Loss | £383.13 | £9,076.37 |
| Balance at end ofperiod(reserves) | £8,001.70 | £17,078.07 |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | The orchestra’s reserves policy aims to maintain reserves equivalent to the expenditure of one financial year (based upon the average of the previous three years). The average annual expenditure from 2019-22 was £13,834, although this includes the Covid period. The expenditure for 22-23 was £17,496. |
|---|---|---|
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | At the end of 2021-22 period, the reserves had fallen to £8,001 due to the purchasing of percussion instruments and then Covid. At the end of the 2022-23 period, there were £17,078 held in the orchestra’s account. |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
where relevant about: |
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | The principal sources of funds for the orchestra are members’ subscriptions, ticket sales from concerts and the provision of an orchestra for the Twinwood Festival. These funds are used to pay for music hire, venue hire and professional fees (conductor, leader, soloists, extras). |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | Rising costs in venue hire and music hire are the greatest risks to the orchestra. The orchestra needs to continue to attract strong audiences to concerts and should plan programmes accordingly. |
| Other |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Constitution |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | Unincorporated association |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | Management committee comprises 12 members, appointed by the orchestra through the Annual General Meeting. The committee includes: Chairperson, Treasurer, Secretary, Publicity Officer, Librarian and Patrons Secretary, three ordinary members, two co- opted members and the Conductor as an honorary member. Four trustees are appointed by the Chairperson from the management committee, to include the Chairperson and Treasurer. |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Milton Keynes Sinfonia |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | MK Sinfonia |
| Registered charity number | 296360 |
| Charity’s principal address | 106 Wolverton Road, Newport Pagnell, MK16 8JG |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christine Kelk | Chairperson | Since 1 September 2016 | ||
| Thomas Molloy | Treasurer | Since 16 June 2019 | ||
| Jennifer Brown | Since 1 September 2016 | |||
| Margaret Smith | Librarian | Since 1 September 2016 |
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets held in this capacity
Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Other optional information
Declarations The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees. report above. Slgned on behalf of tho char5ty's Irustaos Signaturfs) Full nam•(•) Poshlon {eg Secretary. Chair, otc) C4)f ) rJ& l(ELk( 12* ' AJ