## **ZODIAC AMATEUR OPERATIC SOCIETY**
## **FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
# **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH, 2025**
Page 1
## **ZODIAC AMATEUR OPERATIC SOCIETY CHARITY INFORMATION**
**Charity Name:** Zodiac Amateur Operatic Society
**Governing Instrument** Registered Charity Number 500502 NODA Membership Number 2695 Governed by Constitution revised May 2024 **Chairman** Matt Weaver **Secretary** Craig Price **Treasurer** Beth Stratford **Bankers:** HSBC 99-101 Lord Street Liverpool L2 6PG **Independent Examiner:** A Seddon ACMA East Woodfinlow Lower Thingwall Lane Wirral CH61 1AY
Page 2
## **ZODIAC AMATEUR OPERATIC SOCIETY**
## **ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH, 2025**
## **Charity Objectives**
- The promotion and furtherance of education and public appreciation in performing dramatic and operatic arts. Predominantly through the genre of musical theatre.
- To further the development of public appreciation and taste in musical theatre.
- - To support charitable organisations and work for charitable purposes as the Committee shall from time to time determine.
## **Background**
We are The Zodiac, an award winning musical theatre society based in Frodsham, Cheshire. We've been performing musicals for over 50 years since our foundation as a registered charity in 1968.
## **Trustee membership and appointment**
The Board of Trustees shall be known as the Committee and is appointed annually at each AGM. It shall consist of: Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and nine members of the company to be elected by members present at the AGM. During the year all the following served as trustees of the charity
Mr M Weaver (Chair) Miss G Dougall Mr C Price (Secretary) Miss C Pennington Mrs B Stratford (Treasurer) Miss F Wellman Ms T Ellams Mr P Brownbill Mrs G Maddox Miss J Martin (until 20th Nov 24) Mr A M Garland
## **Organisation**
The trustees meet each month and create sub groups when required.
## **Review of the Year**
Over the past 12 months we have brought to life two very different large-scale musical productions at the Grange Theatre in Hartford - Elf and Fame.
Once again we have demonstrated our ability to stage quality productions that resonate with our audiences and fulfil our charitable purpose of developing public appreciation and taste in musical theatre.
The standard of our performances is often recognised in the form of nominations at the annual NODA awards. I'm pleased to report that in 2024 we received a total of 6 nominations in our district and I'm delighted we took home the district 8 trophies in two categories.
I'd like to thank everyone who played a part on or off-stage, however big or small. The Zodiac provides so much more than a place to perform - it is a place for you to belong.
## **Plans for the future**
We have established a new relationship with The Hammond, Chester for our next two productions - The Producers and We Will Rock You. We have also secured a booking at the Brindley Theatre for Sister Act.
## **Financial Review**
Results for the period are set out on page 5.
Our main source of income was from show income £37,570 (2024: 38,594). The main item of expenditure this year was in respect of show expenditure £46,187 (2024: £43,294).
Page 3
## **ZODIAC AMATEUR OPERATIC SOCIETY**
## **ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH, 2025 (Cont.)**
## **Reserves policy**
We aim to hold reserves sufficient to cover all non show related costs for 12 months and £5,000 to cover any show related fees already incurred. This is currently £6,502 (2024: £6,157). There is currently a surplus on general unrestricted funds of £20,980 (2024: Surplus £19,236 ).
## **Risk Statement**
The charity has reviewed the major risks to which it is exposed, and systems have been established to mitigate them.
The main areas are:
**Financial:** The trustees aim to create accurate budgets to check the viability of a show before proceeding. These budgets are monitored regularly and amendments are made when required. **Operational:** In the event of a rehearsal space becoming unusable for a limited time frame, other buildings within the area can be used as an alternative facility.
In the event of a production team member having to step back, other members can step in. **Safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults** : The trustees take advice from local councils and NODA to create a safe environment for children and adults in our productions.
## **Public Benefit Statement**
When planning our activities for the period, the trustees gave consideration to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the specific guidance to charities concerned with the advancement of education and appreciation for the theatre.
## **Trustees' responsibilities in relation to the financial statements**
Charity law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial period which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of its surplus or deficit for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether applicable Accounting Standards and Statements of Recommended Practice have been
- - prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to 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.
On behalf of the Charity
……………………………………………………………… Matt Weaver 22nd May 2025
Page 4
## **ZODIAC AMATEUR OPERATIC SOCIETY INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF ZODIAC AMATEUR OPERATIC SOCIETY**
Report to the Zodiac Amateur Operatic Society (the Trust) on my examination of the accounts for the year ended 31st March 2025 which are set out on pages 5 to 7 of your Annual Report.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity 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 Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 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 me to believe that in, any material aspect:
1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act: or
2. the accounts do not accord with those records.
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 order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
**A Seddon ACMA East Woodfinlow Lower Thingwall Lane Wirral CH61 1AY**
**20th June 2025**
Page 5
## **ZODIAC AMATEUR OPERATIC SOCIETY RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH, 2025**
|**Funds**
**Funds**
**Note**
**£**
**£**
**RECEIPTS**
Donations and legacies
1
3,315
0
Charitable activities
2
38,843
0
Other trading actvities
3
629
0
Investments
4
3
0
**TOTAL RECEIPTS**
42,790
0
**PAYMENTS**
Charitable Actvities
5
51,173
0
Raising funds
6
136
0
**TOTAL PAYMENTS**
51,309
0
**NET RECEIPTS/(PAYMENTS) BEFORE**
**TRANSFERS**
(8,519)
-
**TRANSFER BETWEEN FUNDS**
0
0
**NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS**
(8,519)
-
**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS:**
**TOTAL CASH FUNDS BROUGHT FORWARD**
**AT 1ST APRIL, 2024**
19,236
0
**TOTAL CASH FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**
**AT 31ST MARCH, 2025**
10,717
0
**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**|**2025**
**2024**
**£**
**£**
3,315
3,429
38,843
39,615
629
1,458
3
0
42,790
44,502
51,173
45,607
136
66
51,309
45,673
(8,519)
(1,171)
0
0
(8,519)
(1,171)
19,236
20,407
10,717
19,236
**TOTAL FUNDS**|
|---|---|
Page 6
## **ZODIAC AMATEUR OPERATIC SOCIETY STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AT 31ST MARCH, 2025**
|**CASH FUNDS**
HSBC Current Account
HSBC Deposit Account
Cash Funds
**OTHER CURRENT ASSETS (General Fund)**
Ticket Sales
Other Debtors
**TOTAL ASSETS**
**LIABILITIES: (General Fund)**
Mti Licence
**ASSETS LESS LIABILITIES**|**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**2025**
**Funds**
**Funds**
**£**
9,125
0
9,125
165
0
165
1,427
0
1,427
10,717
0
10,717
13,112
0
13,112
169
0
169
23,998
0
23,998
3,018
0
3,018
20,980
0
20,980|**2024**
**£**
18,939
162
135
19,236
0
0
19,236
0
19,236|
|---|---|---|
Approved by the Trustees on 22nd May 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
……………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………… M Weaver B Stratford
The notes on page 7 form part of these accounts.
Page 7
## **ZODIAC AMATEUR OPERATIC SOCIETY NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH, 2025**
|**1**
**2**
**3**
**4**
**5**
**6**|**Unrestricted **
**Funds**
**£**
**Donations and legacies**
Memberships
1,375
Grants
1,110
Donations
748
82
3,315
**Charitable activities**
Show Income
37,570
Events
1,273
38,843
**Other trading actvities**
Fundraising
629
629
**Investments**
3
3
**Charitable Actvities**
Show Expenditure
46,187
Insurance
522
Stage Equipment
2,278
Memberships
320
Events
1,206
Administration Costs
598
62
51,173
**Raising funds**
Fundraising Costs
136
136
Bank Charges
Gift Aid Reclaim
Bank Interest|**Restricted**
**Funds**
**£**
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0|**TOTAL**
**Unrestricted **
**2025**
**Funds**
**£**
**£**
1,375
1365
1,110
2,500
748
929
82
0
3,315
4,794
37,570
38,594
1,273
1,021
38,843
39,615
629
1,458
629
1,458
3
0
3
0
46,187
43,294
522
515
2,278
76
320
480
1,206
1,080
598
93
62
69
51,173
45,607
136
66
136
66|**Restricted**
**Funds**
**£**
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0|**TOTAL**
**2024**
**£**
1365
2,500
929
0
3,429
38,594
1,021
39,615
1,458
1,458
0
0
43,294
515
76
480
1,080
93
69
45,607
66
66|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|