CHESTERFIELD PHILHARMONIC CHOIR The Annual Report of the Chesterfield Philharmonic Choir 1 August 2019- 31 July 2020
CHESTERFIELD PHILHARMONIC CHOIR ANNUAL REPORTand FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 July 2020 CONTENTS ANNUAL REPORT Page Reference and administrative information Structure. governan and management Objectives and artivities Achievements and performan Financial review 10 Reserves policy Financial Perforrnan io 11 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Independent examinerfs report 13 Statement of financial artivities 14 Balance sheet 15 Notes 16
CHESTERFIELD PHILHARMONIC CHOIR REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Charity name= The Chesterfield Philharmonic Choir. Registered charity number." 500561. Charity's principal address Woodland Villas. 48 Queen Victoria Road, Sheffield, S17 4HT Trustees The trustees listed below have served in Offi from the Annual General Meeting in October 2019. as stated below. The Management Committee comprises the following members: Chairman Mrs. Angela Walker Secretary Mrs. Brenda Penney Treasurer Dr. Mark Jap4iS Musical Director Mr. Steven Roberts Choir Representative Mrs. Denise Phelps Member Prof. Miguel Camara Member Mr. Peter Jones Member Mrs. Lynda Mttchell Member Mrs. Dodie Rutherford Member Mr. Neil Abdy Member Mrs. Alison Sykes Member Miss Suzanne Ganderton (resigned May 2020) Independent Examiner Mrs. Deborah Bancroft, 34 Pennine Way. Loundsley Green, Chesterfield, S40 4ND Bankers Cafcash Limited, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent ME19 4TA
CHESTERFIELD PHILHARMONIC CHOIR STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governing Document The charity is regulated by the Order of W July 2CM)2 made by the Charity Commission and the Constitution and Rules adopted on 11 July 2002, as amended on 13th October 2016 and accepted by the Charity Commission. Pllanagement of the Charity The Management Committee The management commtitee is the goveming body of the Chesterfield Philhamonic Choir and onsists of all the appointed trustees of the Chanty. which, under the constitution rules must number al least six and no more than fv4elve. All trustees, with the exception of the Musical Director, seek election I re*lection each year at the Annual General Meeting. At the Annual General Meeting on 17th October 2019, all the previous CoMmee members stood for re-election and were re-appointed unopposed, with no new nominations. The commtttee has functioned as a Gohesive and hardworking team throughout the year. hoVver. Suzanne Ganderton found it necessary to resign in May 2020. Five full cOrnMee meetings wre heid between September 2019 and July 2020. From March 2020 all meelings have been held on Z¢Jom, all members being able to access this medium. Attendance at these meetings was as follows: A. Walker {Chairrnan) 415,. M. Jatvis (Treasurer) 515.. B. Penney {Secretary) 415- S. Roberts (Musical Director) 515. D. Phelps (Choir Representative) 415.. N. Abdy 415", M. Camara 415", P. Jones 315,. L Mitchell 415", D. Rutherford 315; A. Sykes 515, At the beginning of the pandemic, in particular, a core management group of the Chaimian, Treasurer and Musical Director met at least monthly via Zoom to discuss the cuent and foreseeable future, issues and opportunities, financial implications. rearranging conrtS and other important issues, undertook key pieces of work and reported to and involved the remainder of the committee in regular meetings. This proactive strategy worked well and the choir has been kept going. both in singing and in social contact throughout the spring and summer period and beyond the end of this report year. Financial Management The committee reviewed financial matters at each full commrttee meeting. At each meeting the Treasurer presented the current state of the charity's fInanS and a financial forecast for the remainder of the year to Ihe Trustees and the implications were considered and discussed. Budget forecasts are made on 8 conservative estimate of likely tickets sales and costs to ensure financial viabilrty. This year the emphasis changed On we aSed in person rehearsals in March 2020, as can be seen from the financial report. The committee considers the Reserves Policy when detemiining the programme plans and cansequent expenditure implications throughout the year, taking into account ongoing cash flow and that around COnrt events. Whilst not able to meet in person attention to the change in emphasis of the financial management this year is evident in the financial report. The accounts are presented annually to the membership for discussion at the Annual General meeting and are ratrfied following independent examination. Risk Management The Risk Management Strategy and PrO$S is overseen by a subcommittee, to identfy and manage the various nsks to the Charity on an ongoing basis. The risks are grouped under Concert and Choral Day, Rehearsal, and Business Management and reported to the whole committee at fonnal meetings for discussion and appropriate action. Each commitlee member receives a copy of the updated log following the group meetings The process uses an established model to identify individual risks. their probabilrty and impact, countermeasures. progress and posstion and ontingency planning.
CHESTERFIELD PHILHARMONIC CHOIR The sub-committee met fomially on one occasion this year and undertook a complete review and utMJated all risks. revising impact and probability as appropriate. In 2019-20 members and attendan were: Neil Abdy (Chair) 111. Angela Walker 111, Marf( Jarvis 011, Lynda Mitchell 111 and Peter Jones 111. Importantly, when considenng a possible retum to limtted number in person rehearsals from September 2020 onwards, a separate risk assessment was undertaken and coordinated with the rehearsal venue risk assessment. At the time of reporting, we have not yet been able to start in person rehearsals, bLrt this risk assessment is a live document and will be reviewed and revised, as necessary, dependent on cuent condtiions locally and nationally relevant to Covit*19. when in person rehearsals are able to resume. OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Objects of the Charity The objects of the Chartty, as set out in the Rules. shall be the rehearsal and public perfomiance of a wide range of music in order to enhance the musical skills, knowledge and appreciation of members. participants and audiences. Activities of the Charity In considering and agreeing the activtties of the choir. the trustees are mindful of the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit. This year has been a tale of halves.. the first six months as nonnal then a radical change in March 2020, when activities became mainly online and via the weekly nevtsletter, requiring very different skills and ways of communicating. completely new to the maiorrty of members. The choir normally delivers four conrtS and a choral workshop each year in the Chesterfield area. In this reporting year we managed to give the Aulumn and Christmas concerts as nomal and were within two weeks of perfomiing the Spnng collrt when the first national lockdown happened Further concerts are perfomied by invitation, both locally and elsewhere when we give an 'away' conrt, this year at Bolsover Castle for English Heritage again, attracting their biggest ever Christmas concert audience. Twelve choir members also undertook a video recorded recrtal of Christmas Carols in Bolsover Castle for English Hentage, which is on their national website and YouTube channel. All in person rehearsals and conrtS from March 2020 were postponed I cancelled and the Choral Day postponed until June 2021. The concert programme develoFEd by the Musical Director for the current reporting year was both exciting and challenging for the thoir and audien, but only two concerts were achieved. The educational activity for the audien is delivered through programme notes and introduction to the pieces dunng the conrtS by the Musical Director and guest professional musicians. These contributions and the range of music is appreciated by audience members and choir alike and very much adds to the enjoyment of the concert. The audien at the Bolsover Castle Christmas Conrt, in particular. engaged enthusiastically in discussion viith the Musical Director. We nomia15y rehearse weekly between September and the beginning of July, mixing technical exercises to enhance vocal sknlls wtth leaming vocal parts for the chosen GOnrt ples. and refining these to concert perf0mlan standard. When we do eventually retum to in person singing as a choir there will have to be a lot of work on re-establishing singing volS again. Singing on Zoom, whilst a worthwhile weekly activrty to socially keep the choir members together as well as singing to ourselves on mute. is just not the same as hearing and blending wrth other voices around us.
CHESTERFIELD PHILHARMONIC CHOIR ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE Chaimian's Statement 53 Season This report is, as always, addressed to members of the Choir and the general public. It is made on behalf of the trustees. and its purpose is to set OLrt how the activities of the Choir over the last year met the objectives of its constitution and the requirements to maintain the Choirfs charitable status. The fulfilment of the objects and strategic objectives is amply demonstratgj in the activities reported this year, despite the Covid -19 pandemic. Identifiable Benefts. The three concerts undertaken betw&n September and December 2019 demonstrate a wide range of music rehearsed and performed to a high standard, as usual. In March 2020 very few had even heard of Zoom. We ceased meeting as a whole choir before the national lockdown was announced and Iy40 weeks before our Spring conrt. when it was clear which way things were heading and wrth the health and safety of our (mainly aged over 60) membership paramount. The March cOnrt was postponed until November. but by the end of July this was looking increasingly doubfftil and in the end was cancelted. The Choral Day was postponed until June 2021 and the 80+ participants already registered were infomed and given the choice of retaining their booking for the following year, donating their fee to the named charity or having a refund. We ended up with 65 members looking forward to coming in 2021 to sing Brahms 'Requiem', chosen by the participants at last yearfs ChGral Day_ At the time of reporting at the end of July we were looking forward to taking our music to our communty by carol singing in town at Christmas and giving our Christmas concert at Bolsover Castle again. A key factor in the conts"nuing success of the choir is the strong sense of community, wrth members from many walks of life and trom a wide geographical area and this has been particularly important during the first national Covid lockdown. Although the majority are over 60, we do have yOL*nger members. For some older members, this may be the only occasion when they get OLrt and socialise each week. When the pandemic hit in March 2020. preserving the communily and friendship within the choir and supporting our more vulnerable members became my priorFty, in conjunction with the Musical Director and Treasurer. in particular. and the whole commrtlee. The potential mental and physical health benefrts of choral singing and belonging to a choir are well researched and documented in the academic lrterature and clear in the strong sense of community and caring for each other evident in the choir." we had to act quickly and be proacttve in keeping the choir together and to manage the choir business in this unprecedented situation. The challenge encountered was one of rearranging existing concerts, the Choral day and other commitments in a fast moving, largely unpredictable situation. never encountered before and in continuing choir activities by a variety of means to ensure we had contact with everyone. The initial key worft was done by the Chairman. Musical Director and Treasurer, meeting fortnightly then monthly on Zoom and in regular discussion with the full commtttee. This was invaluable in reaching key decisions, trying to keep up with the everchanging reports and research regarding amateur choral singing, attending Making Music webinars on a varbety of key pandemic related amateur music maknng topics. DCMS guidan etc. and planning to move forward. We also made the key decision at the outset to continue to pay our MD. depLty MD and accompanist. Zoom quickly became part of our lives for committee and weekly choir meetings and has been very well used. We can also see its potential in future for committee meetings, rehearsing when the winter weather predudes us from travelling and meeting etc. Initially, we continued to rehearse the Rutter'Requiem' and Jenkins 'Stabat Mater., thinking that we would perfom tt later in the year, but it soon became clear that thbs would not be the case. we needed a change and the focus changed
CHESTERFIELD PHILHARMONIC CHOIR lo new music, some known. some unknown, that could be rehearsed and sung in one or evenings alongside a recording of it. Between 30 and 40 members have joined the weekly Zoom meetings, when we have not only sung, bLrt chatted, shared news. laughed a lot and had a couple of quiz nights. Apart from the benefrts of meeting and chatting together, we are getting to know each other so much better, across the choir and not just in our immediale Section. 11 has also enabled the Musical Director and Accompanist to get to know us better and VI versa. A very Speal Ihank you. to Steven. our Musical Director. for facilitating and leading the weekly gatherings. His enthusiasm and wide-ranging professional skills and personalrty and weekly Corona Chronicles blog have been key in leading the choir through the first four months of the pandemic. Not everyone wants to or is able to join in the Zoom., four ofthe ninety memtErs do not have intemet acsS. The Membership Secretary has kept in regular contact with those we do not see on Zoom, as have other members. For those members who do not have intemet access, four members who live nearby have volunteered to print off and take the weekly notices and infomation. Steven's blog I Corona Chronicles and other contnbLrtions to ly)th keep them in touch wrth the choir and also check on them and have a socially dIStand chat. The weekly notices I newsletter has gone out to all members by email and has been much appreciated from the regular posftive feedback and thanks reIved. This will continue as long as it needs to in the forthcoming season. Special mention must be made of the communty spirit shown by some of our members. Firstly. Neil Abdy. one of the committee membe[5, who offered to shop for anyone who needed it and he went weekly to the supemarket to queue. shop and deliver for eldedy, vulnerable members during the lockdown. Secondly, David and Bronwen Humphrey, Christine Richardson, Kate Hale and Nina Nelson for weekly printing the choir newsletter, musical directorfs blog and other information and visiting our four eldedy members who do not have intemet a$s. The membership: This year we have again recruited new members. In order to maintain and enhance the qualty of perfomiance, the informal, individual audition policy is maintained and is the only cnteria for choir membership. Rehearsing in a school for children with special needs ensures that Ihe facilrties are wheelchair friendly. The total membership slood at 92 in July 2020 an increase of three since the previous report. Sadly, we also have to record the death of retired long standing member. past Chaiman and Patron, joy Davey. It will be interesting to see whether the pandemic has any positive or negative effect on the numbers who eventually retum or decide to join us. To date there are Ihree potential new members who have joined us on Zoom each week. Keeping the membership engaged is going to be a challenge rf this siluation goes on for very long. which is seeming increasingly likely at the time of reporting. Non-singing invofvement of supporters is a vrtal element of choir presentation to the public, specifically in the cOnrt Front of House Team, in webstte management, photography and help with erecting and dismantling the choi¢s staging for concerts. This team working is important in the effort for putting on conrtS and other events and all work effiently. Cleady, these roles have not been in such high demand this year. but our website manager has kept the YbsIte up to date. Promotion of the Choir. The wider public includes all those who attend our concerts, informal singing events and choral day. From a civic perspective the current Mayor and Mayoress I Consort are invited to every contsrt and are able to attend most, which promotes the choir and our quality of performance at the highest level locally. We actively market and promote our concerts, principally in the catchment area of those within reasonable travelling distan. with attractive and eye- catching flyers and posters. produced by a local business at a redUd cost. A regular display is mounted in the Main Library foyer for a month prior lo each conrt, to advertise our conrtS and activities in an area which has a high footfall. Promoting the choir in the local newspaper and free magazines, wtdely distnbuted to households in and around the tovm, is important in letting the
CHESTERFIELD PHILHARMONIC CHOIR tovmsfolk know of our existence. Our webstie is kept up to date with news, latest conrtS and events, videos and photographs of our activities and we are very grateful to David Oliver for that servi. Other choirs and singers from across the UK and beyond use the vbSIte. not least to access our library ot music to hire. All this requires high qualty marketing and publicty. In assessing priorities in this regard, the focus at the end of this year and for the forthcoming season is on social media,. Twitter. Facebook, and Instagram, widely used by all ages. Whilst we have appointed a willing volunteer committee member to the role. there is a real challenge in maintaining and developing the wider publicity, through a team approach_ This social media focus is ongoing and only just really starting. Setting ticket priS at a level we consider to be competitive is a challenge and, whilst a COnrt is rarely self-funding, our objective is to cover as much of the cost as we can with income from ticket sales. The advan sale of tickets helps signfficantly in forecasting attendan numbers which, in turn, allows us to forecast programme numbers. thereby minimising unnecessary costs. However, canlIatIOn of the final hvo concerts of the season means that season ticket holders will be able to use the season ticket for the next ly40 concerts. when concerts are once again pennissible. External Promotion: as already discussed above. the choir membership is largely derived from the local community in and around Chesterfield and tt is vttal that the choir effectively engages with the local community and other projects that raise the choir's profile. Christmas is always a popular time to engage with communty acttvtties and fonned much of our addtb'onal activity this year. We again participated in the sixth annual Chesterfield Parish Church Christmas Tree Festival for two weeks in late November 2019. alongside many other trees presented by over one hundred and twenty different organisations wtthin the communty; this is avaYS an ideal opportunty to promote the choir in an entirely different context and. in effect, is fr publicity for us, with over 16,000 visitors to the church in two weeks. Prime position in front of the pulpit Tnade our tree visible along the length of the nave as well as close up. A donation to the Church in recognition of the work that gaes into the Festival has been made. The tree was again decorated by Kate Hale with a theme and decorations of her own design and making. 45 members once again perfomied a Christmas cOnrt for English Heritage in the Stables at Bolsover Castle on Dernber 19th 2019_ It was cold, but a very enjoyable evening, wrth the audien number being the most ever and we have been invrted back again this year, which we are also looking fOard to. Prior to the concer( as a promotion tool, 12 memters of the choir vthh MD Steven Roberts, were invited to record a video of Christmas carols for the English Heritage YouTube site in the Great Hall of the castle and we were very pleased with the final production. As discussed last year, the choir recorded choral contrtbutions for We Persuade Ourselves We Are Immortal, with Gary Cobain of Amorphous Androgynous. a complex undertaking in a musical genre completely new to us and are still waiting to hear the finished production and how our contributions fit in wth the whole work. We are keen to find out and experience the sense of achievement in another first for the choir. as well as it being an excellent way of publicising the range of music participated in and performed. Another casualty of the pandemic was Altrincham Choral Society's 75th anniversary concert, Elgar's 'Dream of Gerontius. in The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, in July, in which the choir was due to participate. On a more pos"rtive note, the choir has long been associated with Chesterfield Parish Church, commonly known as the church wrth the Crooked Spire and perfom)ed there many times over the past 50 years. The choir attracts many visitors from all over the world. with its historic heritage and
CHESTERFIELD PHILHARMONIC CHOIR famous lSted spire. In April 2020 the choir was invtied to become the Choir in Residence for period of three years, a prestigious honour and exlIent publicity, but to date we have not been able to perfom) because of Covid restrictions. Performance Somewhat Gurtailed this season, with only I0 main concerts perfomied, the expected high standard of performance was achieved at the Autumn and Christmas concerts and the Chrislmas Concert for English Herrtage at Bolsover Castle after much hard and dedicated work by both the Musical Director and the choir. There has been a small increase in the overall numbers of members, so essential to giving the thoir Conffiden in perfOnan in tackling challenging works. The Autumn concert was entitled 'The Heavens are Telling.. a selection of well-known and not so well-known choruses, including works by Bach, Brahms, Handel, Parry and Mozart. Well known and loved ple$ such as 'Zadok the Priest,. 'Jesu. Joy of Man's Desiring,, 'How lovely is thy dwelling place,, 'Laudate Dominum, and 'The heavens are Telling, We interspersed with lesser known and new pleS to choir and audien alike, culminating in a concert which was both much enjoyed and educational in introducing new works. In the rehearsal time available there was much hard work in leaming new music and perfecting it to cOnrt standard. with a real sense of satisfaction on the evening. As is now our established pattem for a family frFendty and public transport assIble concert, the Sunday aftemoon Christmas Concert featured the choir, accompanied by our regular accompanist, Liz Heath, with the traditional audience participation carols accompanied by Dr. Paul Nash on the organ. This cOnrt attracted a good audien, but not as many as usual. perhaps because this year we did not have a guest choir. which, in itsew, brings addtiional audien members. However. this was a much*njoyed aftemoon. attended by the Mayor and Mayoress of Chesterfield. Summary All in all, a remarkable season, in which the commrttee and choir members have worked together to achieve Sucss, albeit for halfthe year in circumstances totally unexpected and unprecedented. As always, members have tseen generous wrth their time and commitment to the choir. not least in supporting other members. We have recrutted new member5 bLrt need to attract more, mainly to perform those choral works wth orchestra. which require a bigger choir. Desprte being proactive in keeping in touch with all members we do not know the outcome after the pandemic of how many will relum". our hope and expectation is that any loss of membership will be minimal after the considerable effort made by the Musical Director and committee to lead the choir through the pandemic to date. Benefit and detriment The Charity Commission require that we tnust balance the benefft against any detriment or harm that might arise from our organisation carying OLrt our aims. The trustees have not been able to identify any detriment or hami. only benefrt as demonstrated in the report. Governance The trustees have worked hard this year to ensure the Choi¢s smooth running for face-to-face rehearsals and concerts and more rentlY online through Zoom, with regular fomial and informal meetings to ensure continuing effective management of the charity. sin the beginning of the pandemic disruption, in particular, a great deal of work tEhind the sneS has ensured Choir members can rehearse and meet together and be kept in touch via weekly newsletters, on Zoom. phone calls and visits to those members not on the intemet. At the end of the season the emphasis is on developing a new risk management tool for when retum to Covid secure in person rehearsals is possible and further developing our social media presence in innovative ways. Most significantly we had to delay the hokling of our planned Annual General Meeting at which these reports are
CHESTERFIELD PHILHARMONIC CHOIR presented from Odober 2020 to 28th January 2021. Vthilst not ideal, we had initially hoped a short delay would allow us to meet fata fa. but the introduction of the second national lockdown prevented that and the AGM was held via Zoom with 55 members attending. Considering the cirCumstanS this was an exceptional tumout and showed the strength of support for the Charity and its activtlies. Sincere Thanks Sincere thanks go to our Musical Director. accompanist, committee members, Front of House team, website manager and photographers for their continued support. We are fortunate to have a hardworking, efficient and experienced committee, not only in the experience of committee roles, but in the transferable knowledge and sk]'Ils brought from cuent and previous professional roles for the benefrt of the choir. The work goes on continuously behind the SneS. with many voluntary hours put in to ensure effective choir management. Sincere thanks also to the choir members who support the commrttee and each other. steven brings a wide range of experience in a range of musical genres and musical theatre and skilfully encourages us in rehearsal to not only leam but to believe in our abiltty to perform to a high standard. That comes to fruition in all concerts. in the programming and design of each concert, all very different, and showcasing the choir at tis best. from skilled musical leadership of the highest qualty. This year has included the skills of leading rehearsals on Zoom from home. so that members can fully participate in singing and other activities_ The resuttanl enthusiasm and keeping that weekly presence and engagement is one of the comerstones of strategic development as we manage the disruption of the pandemic. Thank you all Awards The Jim Goldsmith Awards: the committee decided that these would not be awarded this year. Life Membership - None awarded this year. Looking Ahead All the Trustees, Choir Members. Front of House team and other supporters must take pleasure and accept recognition of their contribution to a susSful part season of concerts. The choir has risen to the occasion for every cOnrt and given generously of their time and commitment. We continue to build upon the real sense of community that has been so evident again this year. Having said that, every member knows the significant challenges aayS ahead of us and the need to address them as individual and as a whole choir and l am confident that the strong sense of communty, enjoying our music making, pride in what we are and can achieve been us will enable us to reach our goals and exceed our expectations. COVID- 19 Update: April 2021 The above report was written in January 2021 prior to our AGM. The devastation of Covid-19 in the spring of 2020 has had a significant impact, causing cancellation of hearSalS. postponement and rearrangement of both the spnng and summer concerts and Choral Day, which will then have an impact on the following season_ Considerable effort and video meeting time has been put in by the Chairman. Treasurer and musi7 Diredor in managing the present and future, although the fLrture of when we can tEgin meeting together. singing, rehearsing and perfomiing is still very nrtain at this stage. We must be flexible and follow govemment guidan. When we begin to meet again as a whole choir will also depend on govemment guidan and, crucially, when individual members feel safe and confident to meet again, as the majority are over 60 and an estimated 50% over 70. A survey of members has indicated that all but fv40 are wishing to retum
CHESTERFIELD PHILHARMONIC CHOIR when it is safe to do so, all are fully or partly vaccinated. except the two not yet eligible, but they soon will be, which gives added Confiden to our risk assessment and management and Confiden to other members. There are also financial implications. which the Treasurer has made reference to the in the Financial Review below_ The most important asped asfaras the members are concemed is missing the weekly singing and the community of the choir and fn"endships" the psychological and emotional aspects of being a choir member. We are trying to address those issues with a weekly newsletter. suggestions of resources to try, the musical directors blog, musical qurzzes, items submitted by choir members, suggestions of music to listen to etc. Jonathan Scott, our Vice President and exceptionally gifted pianist and organist, is giving fortnightly YouTube concerts. either from his home or from venues such as the Bridgewater Hall, to lift our spirits. The commlttee is meeting via intemet video link and we are undertaking online chats, weekly rehearsals led by the MD and accompanist and vocal technique training sessions for the choir WEth the Deputy MD. all via Zoom. Four older, more vulnerable members not on the intemet are being kept informed by other younger members living near them, by printing things out and taking to them weekly. which also enables them to chat and check they are well. Offers to do shopping etc since April last year have been taken up and, again. a way of keeping a check and communicating wrth our elderly and more vulnerable members. We didn't see this coming but are rising to the challenge as a whole choir. l am confident that the strength ofthe choir community. the bonds of friendship and the love of singing will see us emerge even stronger in the fLrture. FINANCIAL REVIEW Reserves Policy The Trustees maintain a Reserves Policy vthich was reviewed and updated in 201 &19. The policy provides a frameworkfor managing the charity's finances and planned expendrture through seeking to.. ensure financial continuity in the event of a large variation in income. mainlain a positive cash flow, particularly before concerts. meet standing contractual fonward commitments. including notice periods for the Musical Director and the accompanist. cover specific future projects as they are agreed. Such projects may be high profile, high- Gost concerts, or other activilies the trustees (commrttee) choose to undertake to raise the profile of the choir. We aim to maintain a minimum reserve level of £8,500 at the end of each financial year. Where a concert programme with greater than average costs is planned in the following season, or a single higher cost cOnrt is planned eady in the season, before annual membership fees have been collected, we may set a higher level temporarily. Prior to any cOTrrt or major expense, the reserve level should be sufficient to cover the costs of the cOnrt or activty wrthout income from ticket sales, as well as on-going contractual payments. The policy also identrfies actions for the trustees to ensure that it is adhered to. The next review is planned in a year. Initial budget forecasts for the year were used to an concert expenditure and the impact of actual income and expenditure for each Gonrt on forecasts was considered at each committee meeting. Financial Perfomiance This year has been unique in the changes to our planned activtties due to the Covid-19 pandemic, impacting significantly on both expendtture and income_ However, the timing of restrictions, the need to cancel concerts and the choral day in the second half of the year has not had a major impact on our end year position,. forecast originally ai £33,900, we ended the year wtih cash funds of £34,819. 10-
CHESTERFIELD PHILHARMONIC CHOIR Set against this V now have credrtors of £1.416 represents.ng tickets sold for our Choral Day and season ticket holders, who have paid for events that we have not been able to hold. While we originally hoped that these creditors would get the benefrt from their tickets during 2020-21, it is now possible that we will have to defer them a further year due to the continuing pandemic. With the benefft of £775 prepayments carried forward from deferred COnrt venue deposits and hire our net worth at the end of the year was £34.178. representing a surplus of £9,586. Our income for the year was £30.250 and our expenditure £20,664 Income was boosted by ticket income from our very profitable Lesley Garratt concert in late June 2019. reiVed in August. We also collected full membership fees before our aciivities were curtailed by the pandemic. Of our four planned ConrtS, only tsvo were delivered" Autumn and Christmas. Both showed a surplus". ALrtumn generating £313 and Christmas £1.152, including £350 from Ihe raffle of our ever- popular Christmas hampers filled with donations from choir members. A summary of the income and expenditure for each of these events is shown below. We also received £500 for making a promotional Christmas video for English Herttage, wth a further £5CQ for a Christmas Concert in Bolsover Castle. CONCERTINCOMEAND EXPENDITURE 2019-20 Christmas Autumn Covid-19 Response The start of national lockdown from the third week in March 2020 meant thal we were not able to hold our Spring conrt. Fortunately, most of our tickets sales are taken on the door, and prior sales had been paid by cheques that had not been presented and were destroyed, this meanl that we had no need to refund anybody. However, we had paid in advance for the hire of the venue, a sum of £675 retained by the venue to be used against future concerts. along with deposits for future concerts that have been cancelled. The late noti for CanllIng the COnrt meant that we had incurred some other unrecoverable costs. induding printing of publicity posters and orchestral music hire. Totalling £1,176 these costs have been absorbed and are offset by other savings. Advance ticket sales for our Choral Day needed more direct action. Everyone was offered the opportunity for a refund, to have their ticket carried over to the next year or to offer the ticket fee as a donation to the Brain Tumour Trust. our chosen chanty for the Choral Day. In the event over 800 of registered participants (69 individuals) carried their tickets forward. £76 was offered as donations, £104 was refunded and £116 of unpresented cheques were destroyed. The committee also recognised that season ticket holders who had paid for four cOnrtS. would not get full value from their tickets. We agreed that all season tickets should be honoured against two future concerts when they were held. The outstanding value of these tickets of £228 has been included with the advance ticket sales from the Choral Day as credriors totalling £1.416. 11
CHESTERFIELD PHILHARMONIC CHOIR There have been some posrtive financial benefits from not meeting face to face from April. Hire of our rehearsal venue (£980) was waived for the summer tem, and the predicled loss on the cancelled summer concert of £900 was avoided. Offset against this are some small addrtional costs from taking out a Zoom LinCe for our accompanist so that on-line rehearsals could take place more effectively. Throughout lockdown we continued to pay our acmmpanist and meet the fees of our Musical Director and newly appointed deputy Musical Director while they continued to provide serviGes supporting the choir to meet through on-line rehearsals and events. Steven Roberts, our Musical Director who is also a trustee reiVed fees of £5.120 during the year to cover the costs of delivering rehearsals and concerts, this in¢luded a fee for managing the English Heritage recording and a small inflation linked increase. No other trustees recetved any payments except in repayment of costs incurred for purchases. Desprie the curtailment of our year, we have still reTrived considerable other income through our patrons and other donations (£1,300), fundraising through coffee and lea sales, book sales and monthly raffles1£1,004) and gfft aid on a woportion of our membership charge (£1,838). Notwithstanding all the difficulties and changes we have ended the year in a strong financial position. with our cash funds slightly higher than forecast at the beginning This has given us sound platfomi to continue delivering a full programme of faCe-to-fa rehearsals and concerts once the pandemic has receded and we are once again allowed to meet. In the interim we continue to make payments to our Musical Director. deputy musical director and accompanists while delivering on-line rehearsals and recording5. Wrth the likelihood of at best one concert in the next rinancial year, limited rehearsal costs, otherthan Zoom lins, and a small number of rehearsals in an altemative venue that will allow for social distancing we expect to be in a similar position al the end of nexl year ready to start afresh with renewed vigour and more than enough resources to support an ambstious and educational programme for the benefft of the residents of Chesterfield and NE Derbyshire. Mrs. Angela Walker, Chairman 9 Seplember 2021 12-
CHESTERFIELD PHILHARMONIC CHOIR INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT to the Trustees of Chesterfield Philham)onic Choir I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Csterfield Philhamionic Choir for the year ended 31 July 2020. Responsibilities and basis of report As the chartty trustees of the Trust. you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordan with the requirements of the Chartlies Art 2011 (the Aci.). I report in respert of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried OLrt under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Chanty Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. Independent examine$ statement I have completed my examination. I confimi that rKJ material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination gsving me cause to believe that in any material respect.. 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 wrth those records; or 3. the accounts do not comply wrth the applicable requirements conMIng the fom and content of accounts set out in the CharFties (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a Irue and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no COnrS and have come across no other matter5 in connection wtth the examination lo which attention should be dravm in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Mrs D Bancroft 34 Pennine Way Loundsley Green Chesterfield Derbyshire S40 4ND 9 September 2021 13-
CHESTERFIELD PHILHARMONIC CHOIR STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES for the year ended 31 July 2020 2019 INCOMING RESOURCES UnrestrÉcted Fur¥J3 Vduntary Income 11.774 1.391 14,215 3.787 17,048 21.152 Total Unrestricted Funds 39,154 Restrkcted Funds ErWJo¥fflnI Total in¢om1j resources b.2X) 39.154 RESOURCES EXPENDED Costs of werating furxts Costs of geTrating voknrtary incry Fundrai$iThJ tradiry."tods of goods sokl arwj (ts¢¢¢ts Charitsble activities CovefflarKe 162 62 20.320 Total re50urce5 expended 20.581 34,C2 Net incolninOut1j rewjrces 5.072 PECONCILIAnON OF FUNDS 12 Total funds brwJhifward Total furmls cartied forard 24,S¥2 34.261 19.520 24.592 14-
CHESTERFIELD PHILHARMONIC CHOIR BALANCE SHEEr al 31 Juty 2020 2019 Fixed assets Current assets Cash al 8ank aNI har¥J Prepayments 34.819 24.492 10 35.671 Net Current assets 24.5tr2 35.677 24.592 Creditors: amounts falling due within year 1.416 Totsl assets 34.261 24,592 Creditors: amounts fallh¥J due after) Pro¥i8KYts forliabUits arwj charges 34.261 24.592 Funds of the Charity Restricted Funds Endovmient Funds Unrestrlctsd funds 12 34.261 24.592 Totri thwity 34261 24.592 and sKJned on its behaOn 9 Septerr2(r21 ty Ang818 Walker Ichairnwil 15-
CHESTERFIELD PHILHARMONIC CHOIR NOTES ON FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 Juty 2020 Basis of preparation Basis ofaGwwrf These accounts have pryred on Ihe 01ht1YJSt lexcpt Ihai investrne are Sh¢ at ttL4tket Val in act0rfan 1th.. and thAcCry Standards." atKI wth chitti Aci 1993. Change in bas 01 acciytsntiThJ ChangEtrJ previo a¢courts There has teen m that lo aLrrMrt sEar5. Accounting Pollcles INCOMING RESOURCES Recognttion of Incoming Resou These are indLKJed in Stalenient of FUnCl81 ISOFAI %kn.. trustees are tIlla1 re(e res..: afKI Incoming resources with related expÈndiivre Vvhpre incotning resour$ have [ated ex1th las fiuxlraw or the COMINj and relaleil exkETr1itwe arÈ telxKt gr05s SOF Grants and Donatio Grants donalxjrs are (wty tr SOFA thEn drityhas WKxxKIitKfftal enblknnenlto ts resour. Tax reclaims on donations arKI gifts Incorning resoLrn from tax redairns are in ts SoFAal ts same trne a5 IIE grft to rdate Gifts In Klnd Grfts in kirKI a accoun forat a reasonabk estimate Dfth&r vth lo ts (kntityor ttE arroyJftt aduty realised. Gffts in kiThJ for Sa or are in the acnts as gits so&J byttE Lanty. Donated sèrvices and facllrt These ale onty indu(led m irtccthirYJ teS(XJ (wrth an eQthant rewJrw expetKledl %tse the benefft lo charity is reasOnaoUanbfiab.fisUfd aThJ material. TIE ¥alLE on resowces Is the estimated Wal to charityoftrE rThvY. Investment Incorn• This Is indthjed in a(XXMwtsYAw teceivabk. EXPENDITURE AND LIABIUTIES anyVAT. can1 be reco¥wed. ASSETS Tangiblofixod as50ts for u88 tythe chaity These we captahsed rfIFwizn be ed fty nre than Jar. atKI ¢y)5t at kn1£5W. They are valued at Cost LY. rfgffted. atthe vak trj tharity rePt. Stocks Sl(th at of Djsl aThl marketvahE. 16-
CHESTERFIELD PHILHARMONIC CHOIR NOTES ON FINANCIAL STATEPAENTS forthe year onded 31 Juty 2020 Anaty5is of incoming reSoue$ Voluntary iTh¢ome 2020 2019 SubscrpIr l>anls Donatiorts 8fKJ beqts In(me Tax repaKI 4.042 1,567 1.838 3.2 A¥18$ for9W?n9 frJnd% Sale aThJ re of m Fundraising raffle5 Sale of Unrfortns AdvÈttisiry sundry 212 938 1.622 571 636 3.767 75 11K) 1.391 Bank interest recw¥&J 37 20 3.4 Charttsble Activrlios sa ofti(ets aTr1 prcgramrS VETTEbers luitim fees Refreshrnents Donations &JrKJry irtotne 12,526 3.215 81 15.470 2.328 17,IM8 Restricted Funds There tre m restrKied furxls re(?1 in 2tr20 2019 Endowmonts TTrEre* rn eTrJthkn in 2020 aThJ 2019 Anatysis of resources expended 6.1 Costs of gtneratirwJ voluntary irK¢ 2020 2019 154 Surxlries 95 129 162 Fundralslng tradlny ¢tssts Adtnini%trabon Purchases Soual Unrforrns 167 727 899 17-
CHESTERFIELD PHILHARMONIC CHOIR NOTES ON FINANCIAL STATEMENTS forthe year ended 31 Juty 2020 Charilabkn Act6¥6 202 2019 minisltatb Concerts Donati$ RetrwrsaL4 Mus1cal threcor and Deputy Pnnling Surthes 2.042 6215 1.262 15,638 125 6,Q87 5,350 3.882 5,620 708 20.320 FlxÈd a55ets There are no fed assets any rEshJL4qI ¥ak Credbtors dugw6thin one yr 2020 2019 1.416 Gc•vfrmance costs IndepeThYem inspefthn i& 0 wo¥thl fe ofd4gryJe. 10 Prgpaym8nts 2019 CorKert HaH Hire 775 Itxi 11 Payments to T1&teS 2019 RemurÉratM)n- Expprws Total 5.120 5.350 5.120 5,350 . Fees re pabj lo sieven a trSte 12 Ac¢umulated Fund 202 2019 01 AUSt 2019 Net itKomiTYJ resour forts 24.592 19.520.00 5,072.(M> 31 J2020 24 592.00 18-