Company Registration No. 02162383 (England and Wales) Charity No. 298389
THE ROYAL CHORAL SOCIETY
TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
31 AUGUST 2025
ROYAL CHORAL SOCIETY
(A company limited by guarantee)
| CONTENTS | Page |
|---|---|
| Reference and administrative information | 2 |
| Trustees’ report | 3 – 6 |
| Independent examiner’s report | 7 |
| Financial Statements for the year ended 31 August 2025 | 8 – 15 |
| Statement of financial activities | 8 |
| Balance sheet | 9 |
| Statement of cash flows | 10 |
| Notes to the accounts | 11 – 15 |
ROYAL CHORAL SOCIETY
(A company limited by guarantee)
1
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Office 507 Queens Quay 58 Upper Thames Street London EC4V 3EH Note: The company changed its registered address on 4[th] September 2025 to: Studio 9, 92 Lots Road, London SW10 0QD Secretary Mrs A Cattermole Charity Registration No. 298389 Company Registration No. 02162383 Trustees at 31[st] Aug 2025 Mr P Dart (Chairman) Mr R Reeves (General Manager, resigned 31[st] Dec 2025 ) Mrs A Cattermole (Company Secretary; appointed General Manager, 1 Jan 2026 ) Mr K J Skinner Mr A McGowan Ms C R Young MBE Ms H Chung-Yun Li Mr J A Coe Director of Music Dr R Cooke Independent Examiner Gilbert Holbourn FCA, FCCA, DChA 1 Upper Bridge Street Wye Kent TN25 5AF Bankers Cooperative Bank PO Box 250 Delft House Southway Skelmersdale WN8 6NY
2
ROYAL CHORAL SOCIETY
(A company limited by guarantee)
TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2025
The Trustees, who are also directors under company law, present their annual report and the financial statements of the Society for the year ended 31 August 2025.
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 United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
Objectives and activities
The principal activity of the Society is to provide musical education to members of the choir and the wider public through the preparation for and participation in musical concerts. The objects for which the Society is registered, according to the Memorandum and Articles of Association, updated in 2023, are the promotion, maintenance, improvement and advancement of education for the benefit of the public, particularly by the encouragement of the art of choral music in all its aspects by teaching musical works and the presentation of public choral concerts.
It is the Society’s policy to pursue the highest possible musical standards, achieving a high quality of performance through rehearsal, music direction and membership commitment, supporting continued professional relationships with orchestras, promoters, concert venues and other third parties, thereby furthering the Society’s objectives. No material changes in policy have occurred since the last report. The Trustees confirm that they referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s revised general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the Charity’s aims and objectives and in planning the future activities. The Trustees consider the current activities as detailed in this report deliver public benefit.
Achievements and performance
This report covers the year from 1[st] September 2024 to 31[st] August 2025.
The concert year commenced on October 6[th] with a performance of Carl Orff’s extraordinary work Carmina Burana at the Royal Albert Hall. The Royal Choral Society joined forces with the Bach Choir, Wimbledon Choral Society and Highgate Choral Society creating a massed choir of 400 voices. The concert all but raised the roof of the Royal Albert Hall and was performed to a sell-out audience.
Christmas is always a favourite time of year for the choir, and it was with much pleasure that the choir joined forces with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and trumpeters of the British Imperial Military Band for two performances of Christmas with the Royal Choral Society on December 9[th] at the Royal Albert Hall. The usual mix of festive music covering many centuries, genres and composers was received enthusiastically by the audiences.
Now a regular commitment, the choir performed with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the British Imperial Military Band and the National Youth Choir, for 16 gloriously uplifting concerts for the Carols at the Royal Albert Hall series of concerts. Upwards of 85,000 people attended these hugely popular concerts and much fun and enjoyment was had by audience and choir alike, with formal concert attire adorned with tinsel and fairy lights and other Christmas themed fancy dress in the 2[nd] half.
March 29[th] saw the choir performing Dvořák’s rarely performed, but beautiful, Stabat Mater , which describes the stages of Mary’s grief at the foot of the cross, at Southwark Cathedral. Accompanied by the London Mozart Players and soloists Verity Wingate soprano, Rebecca Afonwy-Jones alto, Peter Davoren tenor and William Gaunt bass, the audience were enthralled by this moving work. It is noteworthy that the Royal Choral Society performed the UK premiere of this work in 1884, at the Royal Albert Hall, conducted by the composer himself.
On April 18th, the choir was back at the Royal Albert Hall for its 149[th] Good Friday performance of Handel’s Messiah, to an almost full house, accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Richard Cooke conducted and a talented group of soloists made up the list of performers.
A gloriously sunny day on 28[th] June saw the choir return to the Anvil, Basingstoke, where it sang previously in 2024. On this visit they performed Brahms Ein Deutsches Requiem (the German Requiem), accompanied by the Academy of St Martin in the Fields. The Requiem was well received and paired with two works by Felix Mendelssohn: first the orchestra played the lush Hebrides Overture and then the choir accompanied soprano Verity Wingate, singing that firm audience favourite, Hear my Prayer (O for the Wings of a Dove) . A lovely programme for a warm summer’s evening.
The choir continued its tradition of holding a Summer Soirée concert for an audience of mainly family and friends, at St Giles Cripplegate Church in the Barbican. Conducted by Richard Cooke and masterfully accompanied on two organs, to the delight of the choir, by their accompanist Richard Pearce, the concert featured highlights from the various works sung during the year (Brahms’s Requiem and Dvořák’s Stabat Mater ), along with a few other treats including Basil Harwood’s uplifting O how glorious
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is the Kingdom and the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah , heralding the forthcoming 150[th] anniversary of the choir Good Friday performance of Messiah in 2026.
The choir membership is drawn largely from people who either live, work or have worked in Greater London and the Home Counties, although there is a significant minority who live as far afield as Winchester, Salisbury, Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire and Norwich. There is a considerable turnover of members as people move or change their work or lifestyles, but the membership of the choir is diverse, with many members from non-British nations, and a wide age range. The choir membership has increased by over 10% during the year, now numbering around 235 members at the end of the season.
The Trustees would again like to place on record their appreciation for the enthusiasm, encouragement and sheer professionalism shown by the Director of Music, Richard Cooke. In addition, we are most grateful to and fortunate in our principal accompanist, Richard Pearce, who assists Richard Cooke so ably. The very considerable involvement and activities by many members, including the work of the voice reps, music library, membership, concert management, ticketing, accounting, and other administrative matters is also noted and appreciated.
Financial review
A relatively full programme of well attended concerts including own promotions as well as invitations from other promoters including the Royal Albert Hall at Christmas allowed the Society to generate a surplus from ongoing activities of £19,032 (2024 £24,372 before accounting for £274,000 for the gift of leasehold property).
The Society launched an appeal for its 150[th] Anniversary in September 2021. The purpose of this appeal was to underpin some major events during the Anniversary year. In addition, the appeal would secure the long-term financial viability of the Society. In accordance with a decision of the Trustees on 12 October 2023 the Anniversary Appeal fund was wound up and amalgamated with the unrestricted funds at the start of the 2023/4 year.
The Financial Statements on pages 8 to 15 set out the results for the past year in detail.
Although financial planning continues to be a key area of focus for the Board and Management committee, the level of reserves carried forward at 1 September 2025 is sufficient such that the Trustees do not have any material concerns about the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.
Plans for future periods
Plans for concerts are made over a year in advance and performances for 2026 are already confirmed, with venues, orchestras and soloists booked. Good Friday 2026 will see the 150[th] performance of the choir singing Handel’s Messiah at the Royal Albert Hall. Looking further ahead, in 2027, the choir will be celebrating the 200[th] anniversary of Beethoven’s death with a performance of his Missa Solemnis at St Alban’s Abbey. The choir is also in discussions regarding a potential tour to Vienna in 2027 to join the Vienna Radio Choir and Orchestra in two concerts, one of which will be televised.
Structure, governance, and management
The charity number, principal addresses and details of professional advisers are set out in the administrative information on page 2 of the report.
The Society is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales, and is governed by the Memorandum and Articles of Association.
The Society is controlled by a Board of Directors (Trustees) which delegates day to day operations to the Management Committee. The Board reserves to itself powers of appointment of the Music Director and the General Manager and their remuneration where appropriate. It also retains responsibility for financial control and reporting and the Trustees’ report and financial statements. The Board meets regularly during the year with attendance on some occasions by the Music Director and members of the Management Committee. The Board retains control of all statutory matters including the Charity Commission and Companies House and oversees risk management.
The Board, at the present time, comprises eight directors (Trustees), of whom six are singing members of the choir and two are external board members.
The administration of the choir is currently managed by the aforementioned Management Committee which comprises the General Manager, Finance Director, Music Director, Concert Manager, Marketing and Communications officer, Company Secretary, Membership Secretary and one other. The choir administration also benefits from the activities of the voice representatives, and other choir members who undertake many activities including librarian, auditions of potential new members, ticketing and other administrative and organisational tasks that are associated with running a large and successful choir.
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Trustees
The following trustees have held office since 1 September 2024:
Mr P Dart (Chairman) Mr R J Reeves (General Manager, resigned 31[st] Dec 2025) Mrs A Cattermole (Company Secretary, appointed General Manager 1[st] Jan 2026) Mr S Strudley (Resigned 21[st] June 2025) Mr K J Skinner Mr A McGowan Ms C R Young MBE Ms H Chung-Yun Li Mr J A Coe
Recruiting New Trustees
The board typically looks for volunteers from within the choir membership who apply for the appointment. The Board holds interviews and considers each person’s skills and experience to determine their suitability to become Trustees. The recruitment of external directors has traditionally been through existing contacts with Board members or through professional advisers.
Trustees’ responsibilities
The Trustees (who are also directors of the Royal Choral Society for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Annual Report 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 period which give a true and fair view, but not an audit, of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period.
In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
-
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
-
observe the methods and principles in the Charities’ SORP;
-
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
-
state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charitable company’s transactions and to disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and 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.
The Trustees’ Report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
The Trustees met four times during the year, three times in-person and once via video conference and reviewed the management accounts for the relevant period together with budgets, concert costings and other financial information. The Trustees judge that the charity is a going concern and for this reason the going concern basis is considered a valid basis for the preparation for the financial statements.
Risk management and uncertainties
Under normal circumstances the charity is reasonably uncomplicated and the exposure to risk is limited. The Board considers possible risks on an ongoing basis and remains confident that there are adequate procedures and safeguards in place to mitigate any risks that might have any significant adverse financial, management or reputational consequences. The Board annually reviews and updates its risk management procedures and assessment which are consolidated in a Risk Register.
To assist in this, the Board of Trustees has formed a sub-committee, the Audit and Risk Committee (ARC), of which the members are Mr J A Coe (Chair), Ms C R Young MBE and Ms H Chung-Yun Li. The ARC provides oversight to ensure the financial integrity, accountability, compliance and management of risks associated with the activities of the Choir. Meeting regularly, the ARC works closely with the full Board to ensure the governance and operational efficiency of the Choir.
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Sustainability and Environmental Responsibility The TIv5tees recognise the growing Importance of environmental sustainability and have had regard to the Charrty Commission's SORP guidance in considering how this may be refle¢ted within the governance and management of the Royal Choral Society IRCS), in a manner proportionate lo the charity's size. adivilies and resources. Th8 Society's 8Ctivilies are primarily focused on reh88rs8ls and performances at 851ablished venu85, including the Royal Albert Hall. which limits the exlenl of direct conlrd over rtain environmental impacts such as building energy use. The Trustees a. however, mindful ol the environmental considerations aSslated wrth travel. pnnted matena15 and event delivery. Choir members are encouraged, where praclical. lo use public transport for rehearsals and perform8n¢es, particularty in central London. Where the choir perfortns outside London. consideiation Is given to the use of coach travel to limit car use. During the year. RCS has continued to make use of digital ¢ommuniG21ions for administr81ion and member engagement in order to reduce liar? on printed materials. and the uSe ol music scores and other resour$ is encouraged where appropriate. The Trustees have considered environmental malters within the So¢iely s broader risk and strategic discussions. Al pre58nl, environmental factors are not considered to pose a rnèlerial risk lo the Charity's financial sustainability, tyjl the Trustees will continue to keep thi5 area under r8view and consider proportionate and practical step5 as part ol future planning. in support of the Society s charitable objectives. This pOrt was approved by the Board on 26 May 2026 and Sned by - A . (bTh¢)o Mrs A Cattermo, Company S8cr81ary
Company Registration No. 02162383 (England and Wales) Charity No. 298389 ROYAL CHORAL SOCIETY IA cornpany limited by guaianteel INDEPENDENT EMMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES AND MEMBERS FOR THEYEAR ENDED 31 August 2025 I report to lh8 Truste85 on my examination of the accounts of The Royal Choral Society forthe year ended 31 August 2025. Respectlve Responslbllltles of Trustees and examlner The Trustees (who are also the directors of the company for the purposes of company lawl are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Tru5te8s consider that an audit is not required foT this year under section 144121 ol the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. l am qualified to undertake the examination by betng a qualifi8d mernber of The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. Having satisfied myself th81 Ihe Charity is not subject tr) audit under company law and is elvJible for independent ex8rnination, it is rny responsibility lo.. examine the account5 under section 145 of the 2011 Act", to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 14515llbl of the 2011 Aot,. and to state whether particular rnatters have come to my attention. Basls of Independent examlnerfs report My examination was carried out in 8ccordaTice with the general Directitsns given by the Charity Commission. 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. 8nd seeking expl8n8tion5 from you as tfustees concerning any such matters. Th8 procedures undertaken do not provide all the evid8nc8 that WOLJld be required in an aud¢l and consequently no opinion is given s to whether the accounts present a 'lrue 8nd fair vie¥V and the report Is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent examiner's Statement In connection wth my exarnination, no matter h88 come to my attention.. 111 which gives me reasonable cause to believe thal in any material resp8Ct tho requirernents". lo keep accnunling records in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006., and lo ppare accounts which accord with the a¢counting records, comply with the accounting Tequirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 and with the methods and prin¢iplÈs of Accounting and Reporting by Charities.. SlateTnent ol Recommended practi ISORPI applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable to the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021 have not been met.. or 121 to which, in my opinion. attention should be drdwn in order tu enable a proper under5tandiTig ol the financial slalements to be reached. uri Gilbert Holboum FCA, FCCA, DChA 1 UppÈr Bridge Street Wye Kent TN25 SAF Date..
ROYAL CHORAL SOCIETY
(A company limited by guarantee)
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2025
| Income and endowments from: Voluntary income Activities for generating funds Investment income Total income and endowments Expenditure on: Costs of generating voluntary income Charitable activities Total expenditure Net income / (expenditure) Transfer of funds between reserves Net movement in funds for the year Balance brought forward at 1 September Funds carried forward at 31 August |
Notes 2 3 4 5 9 |
2025 Total Funds £ |
2024 Unrestricted Funds £ 326,474 231,783 10,505 568,762 (41,751) (228,639) (270,390) 298,372 105,902 404,274 174,180 578,454 |
2024 Restricted Funds £ - - - - - - - - (105,902) (105,902) 105,902 - |
2024 Total Funds £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 49,582 221,856 13,195 284,633 (20,972) (244,629) (265,601) 19,032 - 19,032 578,454 597,486 |
326,474 231,783 10,505 |
||||
| 568,762 | |||||
| (41,751) (228,639) |
|||||
| (270,390) | |||||
| 298,372 | |||||
| - | |||||
| 298,372 | |||||
| 280,082 578,454 |
There were no recognised gains or losses other than the net movement in funds for the above two financial years.
All activities of the Society are continuing.
The notes on pages 11 to 15 form part of these financial statements.
8
ROYAL CHORAL SOCIETY
(A company limited by guarantee)
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 August 2025
| Notes Fixed assets Leasehold Property 6 Current assets Debtors and prepayments 7 Cash at bank and on deposit Liabilities: amounts falling due within one year Creditors 8 Net current assets Net assets Represented by: General fund - unrestricted 9 Total funds |
2025 £ 270,814 270,814 21,372 338,366 359,738 (33,066) 326,672 597,486 597,486 597,486 |
2024 £ |
|---|---|---|
| 274,000 | ||
| 274,000 18,771 305,797 |
||
| 324,568 (20,114) |
||
| 304,454 | ||
| 578,454 | ||
| 578,454 578,454 |
For the financial year ended 31 August 2025 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
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The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year in question in accordance with section 476.
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The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime. The notes on pages 11 to 15 form part of these financial statements. The financial statements on pages 8 to 15 were approved by the Board on 26 May 2026
K J Skinner Company Registration No 02162383
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ROYAL CHORAL SOCIETY
(A company limited by guarantee)
STATEMENT OF CASHFLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2025
| 2025 £ Cash flows from operating activities: Net cash provided by / (used in) operating activities 19,374 Cash flows from investing activities: Interest from investments 13,195 Acquisition of leasehold property - Net cash generated / (used in) investing activities 13,195 Change in cash and cash equivalents 32,569 Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting period 305,797 Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period 338,366 Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash flow from Operating activities Net movement in funds for the reporting period 19,032 Adjustments for: Dividends and interest from investments (13,195) (Increase) / decrease in debtors and prepayments (2,601) Increase / (decrease) in creditors and accruals 12,952 Depreciation / amortisation 3,186 Net cash provided by / (used in) operating activities 19,374 Analysis of cash and cash equivalents Cash at bank and in hand 338,366 Total cash and cash equivalents 338,366 |
2024 £ |
|---|---|
| 297,884 | |
| 10,505 (274,000) |
|
| (263,495) | |
| 34,389 271,408 |
|
| 305,797 | |
| 298,372 (10,505) (1,606) 11,623 - |
|
| 297,884 | |
| 305,797 305,797 |
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ROYAL CHORAL SOCIETY (A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2025
1.1 Accounting policies
A summary of the principal accounting policies adopted, judgements and key sources of estimation or uncertainty in the preparation of the accounts are laid out below:
1.2 Basis of preparation
These financial statements have been prepared for the year ended 31 August 2025 and have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policies below or the notes to these accounts.
The financial statements 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 United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (Charities SORP FRS 102), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.
The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.
The accounts are presented in sterling and are rounded to the nearest pound.
1.3 Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgement
Preparation of the accounts requires the Trustees and management to make significant judgements and estimates.
The items in the financial statements where these judgements and estimates have been made include:
- Value of the long leasehold property as assessed by Chartered Surveyors
1.4 Assessment of going concern
The Trustees have assessed whether the use of the going concern assumption is appropriate in preparing these accounts. The Trustees have made this assessment in respect to a period of one year from the date of approval of these accounts.
The Trustees of the charity have concluded that there are no material uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast doubt in the ability of the charity to continue as a going concern. The Trustees are of the opinion that the charity will have sufficient resources to meet its liabilities as they fall due.
1.5
Income
All income is included in the statement of financial activities when the charity is entitled to the income, receipt is probable and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income:
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Donations are recognised as income when receivable, except insofar as they are incapable of financial measurement.
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Investment income is accounted for in the period in which the charity is entitled to receipt.
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ROYAL CHORAL SOCIETY
(A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2025 (continued)
| 1.6 | Expenditure |
|---|---|
| Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as a liability is incurred. | |
| Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its charitable activities. It includes both | |
| costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them. | |
| All costs are allocated between the expenditure categories in the statement of financial activities based on the use of the resource. | |
| Governance costs are included within support costs and consist of the independent examination in order to meet the constitutional | |
| and statutory requirements of the charity. | |
| 1.7 | Related party transactions |
| Related party transactions are fully disclosed in the report or notes to the accounts. | |
| 1.8 | Tangible fixed assets and depreciation |
| Tangible fixed assets are included at cost less depreciation and impairment. Depreciation has been computed to write off the cost | |
| of the tangible fixed assets over their expected useful lives as follows: | |
| Long leasehold property - equal instalments over 86 years | |
| 1.9 | Debtors |
| Debtors are stated at their settlement amount, less any provision for non-recoverability. Prepayments are valued at the amount | |
| prepaid. They have been discounted to the present value of the future cash receipt where such discounting is material. | |
| 1.10 | Cash at bank and in hand |
| Cash at bank and in hand represents such accounts and instruments that are available on demand or have a maturity of less | |
| than three months from the date of the accounts. Deposits for more than three months but less than one year are disclosed as | |
| short term deposits. Cash placed on deposit for more than one year is disclosed as a fixed asset investment. | |
| 1.11 | Creditors and provisions |
| Creditors and provisions are recognised when there is an obligation at the balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is | |
| probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated | |
| reliably. Creditors and provisions are recognised at the amount the charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt. They have | |
| been discounted to the present value of the future cash payment where such discounting is material. |
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ROYAL CHORAL SOCIETY
2
(A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2025 (continued)
1.12 Accumulated funds
Unrestricted funds are donations and other income receivable for the objects of the charity without further specific conditions and are available as general funds.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used. Expenditure which meets these criteria is charged to the relevant fund.
1.13 Taxation
The Royal Choral Society is a registered charity and therefore is not liable to income tax or corporation tax on income derived from its charitable activities, as it falls within the various exemptions available to charities.
| Note Voluntary income Donations Long leasehold property 6 Subscriptions Gift aid Notional rent received |
2025 £ 7,444 - 34,999 7,139 - 49,582 |
2024 £ 6,789 274,000 29,760 5,925 10,000 326,474 |
|---|---|---|
During the year ended 31 August 2025, 2 Trustees (2024: one) made donations to choir funds totalling £1,018 (2024: £1,229) including donations made through the friends’ programme and other appeals.
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| Activities for generating funds Concert, programmes and advertising income Music library Recording royalties Investment income Bank interest Investment income Costs of generating voluntary income Independent examiner Office and sundry expenses Property costs Credit card charges Website costs Insurance Office rent Depreciation |
2025 £ 218,579 3,057 220 221,856 2025 £ 1,653 11,542 13,195 2025 £ 3,250 4,145 6,378 2,794 204 1,015 - 3,186 20,972 |
2024 £ 220,790 10,729 264 |
|---|---|---|
| 231,783 | ||
| 2024 £ 3,616 6,889 |
||
| 10,505 | ||
| 2024 £ 2,600 5,047 20,717 2,167 239 981 10,000 - 41,751 |
4
13
ROYAL CHORAL SOCIETY
(A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2025 (continued)
| 5 | Charitable activities | 2025 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||
| Cost of concerts and initiatives | 149,977 | 151,529 | |
| Choir costs | 94,652 | 77,110 | |
| 244,629 | 228,639 | ||
| The Trustees did not receive any remuneration for their services as Trustees in either year. | |||
| It is the policy of the Society to reimburse Trustees for legitimate expenses, including postage, stationery and | |||
| administrative items. During the year under review no | travel expenses were reimbursed to trustees (2024: tw | ||
| £95). | |||
| 6 | Long Leasehold property | 2025 | 2024 |
| £ | £ | ||
| Cost | |||
| At 1 September | 274,000 | - | |
| Additions | - | 274,000 | |
| At 31 August | 274,000 | 274,000 | |
| Depreciation | |||
| At 1 September | - | - | |
| Charge for the year | (3186) | - | |
| At 31 August | (3186) | - | |
| Net book value | |||
| At 1 September | 274,000 | - | |
| At 31 August | 270,814 | 274,000 |
It is the policy of the Society to reimburse Trustees for legitimate expenses, including postage, stationery and other administrative items. During the year under review no travel expenses were reimbursed to trustees (2024: two trustees£95).
In May 2024, the property was gifted to Royal Choral Society for £274,000. The property was valued by Aston James Chartered Surveyors on 27[th] March 2023 in accordance with the RICS Valuation Standards. The lease term is for 125 years expiring in 2110.
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ROYAL CHORAL SOCIETY
(A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2025 (continued)
| 7 Debtors and prepayments Prepayments and accrued income 8 Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year Accruals and deferred income 9 Reconciliation of movements on reserves General fund - unrestricted Balance brought forward at 1 September Net income / (outgoing) resources Transfer from restricted funds Balance carried forward at 31 August 150th anniversary fund - restricted Balance brought forward at 1 September Transfer to restricted funds Balance carried forward at 31 August Total funds Balance brought forward at 1 September Net income / (outgoing) resources Balance carried forward at 31 August |
2025 £ 21,372 2025 £ 33,066 33,066 2025 £ 578,454 19,032 - 597,486 2025 £ - - - 2025 £ 578,454 19,032 597,486 |
2024 £ 18,771 |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 £ 20,114 |
||
| 20,114 | ||
| 2024 £ 174,180 298,372 105,902 |
||
| 578,454 | ||
| 2024 £ 105,902 (105,902) |
||
| - | ||
| 2024 £ 280,082 298,372 578,454 |
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