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2023-03-31-accounts

Charity number: 298662

THE DELIUS SOCIETY

TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

THE DELIUS SOCIETY

TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

The Committee (Trustees) present their Report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023.

Objectives and Activities

The Charity’s (Society’s) objects are to promote public education in, and appreciation of, the life and works of Frederick Delius.

The Charity carries out these objects by:

The main activities undertaken in relation to these purposes are:

The Trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing their aims and objectives and in planning their future activities.

Achievements and Performance

Two significant events took place during the year to 31 March 2023: The Delius Society AGM, Annual Lunch and 60th Anniversary Concert, on 26 June 2022, and The Delius Prize on 27 November 2022. The Anniversary Concert and Annual Lunch was a major event to which a great deal of time and effort was dedicated. New works, inspired by Delius, were commissioned from Bo Holten, Ian Venables and Roderick Williams, and performers at the concert included the Coull Quartet and Roderick Williams. However, attendance was poor, with the AGM only just quorate due to a number of factors including rail strikes, illness, and the wide geographical spread of our members.

The Committee was delighted to be able to hold The Delius Prize once again, not least because our President, Sir Mark Elder, kindly agreed to adjudicate the competition, but attendance by members was in single figures, which was very disappointing. The Delius Prize is fundamental to the Society’s work, and is important in introducing young talented musicians to the music of Delius. In addition to these in-person events, an entertaining film by Stephen Williams, entitled A Heckelphone for Hereford was enjoyed by a number of members.

The Committee has decided to focus on online events only for the time being, with the exception of The Delius Prize, and members have been surveyed to determine the best way forward. The Delius Society has continued to promote the music of Delius to its members, young people via Club Delius, and to the wider public, through publication of its twice-yearly Journal and

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THE DELIUS SOCIETY TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 (continued)

Newsletter, and through its website and social media. The Society continues to be active on social media, with a flourishing Facebook, Twitter and YouTube community.

Many of our online events are made available to the general public, following a members-only period, and can be accessed through the Society’s website and YouTube channel. Social media is used to invite and encourage the public to attend the final of the Delius Prize, for which there is no charge.

The Society continues to publish its Journal and Newsletter twice a year. As in previous years, the Journal carries articles from academics and laymen alike on the music of Delius and his contemporaries. It is widely quoted and well regarded as one of the best publications produced by a composer society. Access to all back issues more than two years old is available free of charge to all via the Society’s website, which is updated regularly. The Newsletter contains topical items of interest to members and both publications carry a comprehensive list of performances of Delius’s music at venues worldwide.

Financial Review

The Society’s principal sources of regular funding are members’ subscriptions and an annual grant of £8,000 from the Delius Trust. We are very grateful to the Trust for their decision in November to renew it for a further five years. Subscription income, at £6,225, was only £195 less than that of the previous accounting period.

Our large reserves diminished, as planned, during 2022 as a result of the commissioning and performance of three new works inspired by Delius. They were part of the 60[th] Anniversary Concert at the Royal Academy of Music in June held after the AGM. However, we later received a legacy of £10,000 from the estate of Terry Sanderson, a member of many years’ standing. That limited the 2022/23 deficit to £10,253, leaving us with reserves of £80,355.

The Trustees are determined to use these reserves constructively, in ways that promote Delius and ideally benefit as many members as possible. We have several plans in mind, some of which focus on 2025, when Bradford will be the UK City of Culture. We remain somewhat constrained by the fact that our human resources comprise just three Trustees plus Karen Fletcher, though the Trustees are also very grateful to Tom Woolley, who is leading on negotiations with Bradford.

Structure, Governance and Management

The governing document of the Society is a set of Rules drawn up when the Society was founded in 1962, revised at AGMs subsequently in 1995, 2001, 2002 and 2017 with the approval of the Charity Commissioners.

The charity is an unincorporated association.

When it is felt that new Trustees are required we will endeavour to identify and recruit individuals with skills and experience appropriate to the needs of the charity. We remain confident of being able to maintain the Society’s effectiveness.

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THE DELIUS SOCIETY TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 (continued)

Reference and Administrative Details

The Delius Society was founded in 1962 and in February 1988 became a Registered Charity in England and Wales, registration number 298662.

The principal address for correspondence with the Society is:-

The Delius Society c/o Katharine Richman 15 Oldcorne Hollow Yateley Hampshire GU46 6FL

The Trustees from the start of the reporting year until the date of this report were as follows:-

Katharine Richman Hon Secretary and Journal Editor
Roger Buckley Delius Prize and AGM organiser (until 12
October 2022)
Jim Beavis Hon Treasurer & Membership Secretary
Stephen Lloyd Trustee (from 17 January 2023)

The death of Roger Buckley was a massive blow to the Society and a great loss to the Committee. Fortunately Stephen Lloyd has stepped into the breach, pending confirmation of his appointment as a Trustee at the Annual General Meeting. The AGM is where Trustees are formally appointed and reappointed annually. All Trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no remuneration or benefits, except for the reimbursement of reasonable expenses in relation to the Society’s activities. The positions of Chair and Vice Chair are vacant but the other Trustees carry out all the necessary duties between them.

Membership

The total membership at 31 March 2023 is 238 (2022: 243).

Ordinary
Gift Aid
Honorary
_
Total Membership
=		 Total
72
120
46
__

238
========
 Home
30
114
36
___

180
=========
 Overseas
42
6
10
___
58
=========

Tax Status

HM Revenue & Customs has accepted the Charity for tax purposes and it is therefore exempt from tax on its income and/or gains to the extent that the income and/or gains are applicable and applied for charitable purposes only.

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THE DELIUS SOCIETY TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 (continued)

Committee’s (Trustees’) Responsibilities

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in notes to the accounts. They comply with the charity’s governing documents, the Charities Act 2011 and ‘Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard (FRS 102) applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland published on 16 July 2014’.

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and the financial statements. In preparing these financial statements Trustees are required to:-

  1. select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

  2. observe the methods and principles in the charities Statement of Recommended Practice; 3. make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

  3. state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;

  4. prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Society will continue.

Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Society and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with legislation. Trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Society and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The accounts have been subject to independent examination, as the Charity Commission requires those charities with gross income of more than £25,000 in their financial year to have their accounts independently examined.

By order of the Committee and Trustees

…………………………………………..

Katharine Richman

Hon Secretary

30 May 2023 Date: …………………………

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THE DELIUS SOCIETY

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE DELIUS SOCIETY

I report on the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2023 which are set out on pages 9 - 12.

This report is made solely to the charity’s Trustees, as a body, in accordance with section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 and regulations made under sections 145(5)(b) and 154 of that Act. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the charity’s Trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an Independent Examiner’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity’s Trustees as a body, for my work or for this report.

RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRUSTEES AND EXAMINER

The charity’s Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements, and they consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

BASIS OF INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT

My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the financial statements presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements, and seeking explanations from you as Trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the financial statements present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S STATEMENT

Your attention is drawn to the fact that the charity has prepared the financial statements in accordance with applicable law, and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland.

In my opinion the financial statements:

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THE DELIUS SOCIETY

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 (continued)

In connection with my examination, no other matters have come to my attention

have not been met; or

Signed: Dated: 22 May 2023

J S Backhouse 6 Lingfield Gardens Coulsdon Surrey CR5 1QQ

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THE DELIUS SOCIETY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023

INCOME
Bequest
Delius Trust Grant (see note 1)
Members’ Subscriptions (see note 1)
Donations
Income from Events
Tax Refund on Gift Aid Subscriptions
Exchange Difference on Revaluation of US$ Account (see note 2)
Royalties Received
Sale of Journals
TOTAL
EXPENDITURE
Journal Costs
Marketing and Admin Support
Commissioning new works
Meetings and Events
LLondon Song Festival sponsorship
Club Delius
Newsletter
Committee’s Expenses (see note 3)
AGM costs
Postage & Stationery
Church Donation
AAccountancy fees
Bank Charges
TOTAL
Net movement in funds
Total funds brought forward at 1 April 2022
Total funds carried forward at 31 March 2023		 2022/23
£
2021/22
£
10,000
42,664
8,000
8,000

6,225
6,420
235
2,571
1,167
-
1,095
1,075
204
172
-
73
-
4
26,926
60,979

4,073
3,801
2,335
3,250
6,000
3,000
19,333
2,913
-
1,050
516
915
481
584
68
537
3,959
209
166
136
150
125
60
-
38
50
37,179
16,570
(10,253)
44,409
90,608
46,199
80,355
90,608

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THE DELIUS SOCIETY STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AS AT 31 MARCH 2023

Note
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors & Prepayments
4
Cash at bank
5
CREDITORS & OTHER LIABILITIES
Amounts falling due within one year
6
NET CURRENT ASSETS
NET ASSETS
CHARITY FUNDS
Unrestricted funds
TOTAL FUNDS		 2022/23
£
£
1,086
81,182
82,268
(1,913)
80,355
80,355
80,355
80,355		 2022/23
£
£
1,086
81,182
82,268
(1,913)
80,355
80,355
80,355
80,355		 2021/22
£
£
1,074
91,836
92,910
(2,302)

90,608
90,608

90,608

90,608		 2021/22
£
£
1,074
91,836
92,910
(2,302)

90,608
90,608

90,608

90,608
82,268
(1,913)		 92,910
(2,302)


80,355 90,608
80,355 90,608
80,355 90,608

All of the results shown on page 9 and above are derived from continuing activities. There were no other recognised gains or losses other than those on pages 9 and 10 above.

The notes on pages 11 and 12 form part of these financial statements.

The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 30 May 2023 and signed on their behalf by:

Jim Beavis ……………………………………………….

Katharine Richman……………………………………..

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THE DELIUS SOCIETY NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Accounting Policies

Introduction

The accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are summarised below. They have all been applied consistently throughout the year and to the comparative figures.

They have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the notes to these accounts.

The financial statements give a true and fair view of the Society affairs.

Basis of Preparation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland, FRS 102, as issued by the Financial Reporting Council.

Reserves

The Trustees consider that a Reserves Policy is required to maintain the financial stability of the Society in order that it can achieve its objectives. It is believed that reserves of £20,000, that would cover at least one year’s normal expenditure, are required for the Trustees to fully and satisfactorily carry out the continued aims and objects of the Society. Unexpected bequests mean that at present our reserves are still disproportionately high. We are intent on devising a beneficial use for them.

The Committee (Trustees) is satisfied that the Society is a going concern, and will continue to monitor the Reserves Policy and if necessary make the required amendments to enable the Society to fulfil its objectives in this regard.

Members’ Subscriptions

Subscription income for the year represents members’ annual subscriptions receivable. Subscriptions received in advance for the year to 31 March 2024 are shown within Creditors & Other Liabilities.

Grants

Income from grants is recognised on receipt of funds. No grants have performance related conditions attached. The £8,000 received from the Delius Trust in November was the last in a series of five annual grants. The Trust has kindly renewed the grant at the same level for the next five years.

2. Exchange Difference

The US dollar bank account is always revalued at the end of the year to show its value at that date, rather than when each individual deposit was made.

3. Committee’s Fees and Expenses

£68 was spent meeting representatives from the Bradford artistic community to discuss potential events there in 2025, when it will be the UK City of Culture.

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THE DELIUS SOCIETY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

4. Debtors & Prepayments

**5. ** 2022/23
2021/22
Tax Rebate on Gift Aid Subscriptions
1,086
1,074
Bank Balances
2022/23
2021/22
The Meadows Palmley Memorial Fund*
90
90
Other Bank Accounts
Lloyds USD Account
1,407
3,973
Lloyds Treasurer’s Account
29,685
87,773
Lloyds Fixed Term Deposit Account 2.5%
30.000
-
Lloyds Fixed Term Deposit Account 2%
20,000
-
80,092
91,746
Total – All Bank Accounts
81,182
91,836

*This is the name given to the Society’s reserve fund by the Trustees and is not a separately designated fund. It is named in memory of two former Committee members.

6. Creditors & Other Liabilities

**reditors & Other Liabilities **
2022/23 2021/22
Accrued Expenses 600 1,000
Subscriptions Received in Advance 1,313 1,302
Total Creditors 1,913 2,302

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