2023-01-31-accounts

BURNLEY LIGHT OPERA SOCIETY

President : His Honour, Raymond Bennett

Secretary Chairman Treasurer Mrs S Hardwick Mr D Gill Mr D Gill 14 Marsden Court 14 Easedale Close 14 Easedale Close Founded 1934 Affiliated to the National Operatic BURNLEY BURNLEY BURNLEY and Dramatic Association Lancs. BB10 2SS Lancs. BB12 8TR Lancs. BB12 8TR Registered as a Charity  01282 831597  01282 453665  01282 453665 No 505288  [e-mail]

MINUTES OF THE 2023 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY 18th MAY 2023, 7:15pm AT THE MECHANICS

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Were received from:- Martin Chadwick, Christine Emmett, Sue Green, Ann Mayor, Howard Mitchell, Nancy Mitchell, Kathryn Rawlinson, Noelle Ripley, Pauline Sandiford, Debbie Stopforth.

• 1 MINUTES OF THE 2022 AGM

• 1.1 The minutes for 2022 had been previously circulated to members with the 2023 agenda, and were available at the meeting along with the Society rules. The minutes were passed as correct.

2 MATTERS ARISING

• 2.1 There were no matters arising.

3 TREASURER’S REPORT.

• 3.1 Everyone had sight of the balance sheet for the last 12 months. The Independent Examiner reported there were no matters of concern that would prevent him from signing the accounts.

• 3.2 Mr Gill reported we had had a very successful year and the Society is financially sound with reserves of £30k.

• 3.3 Artistically and financially the show, Calendar Girls, was a great success and we made a profit of almost £6k.

• 3.4 Ticket sales was the main reason for the profit, as the show was well supported due to its title.

• 3.5 Mr Gill gave thanks to the Ladies committee, who donated a remarkable £2k, despite having limited fund raising activities this year.

• 3.6 The main expenditure for any show is the hire of the theatre, royalties, Sound, Staging and Lighting.

• 3.6.1 The theatre hire increased from £750 last year to £1k a performance, and will increase again to £1,250 in 2024. There will also be additional costs for the get in week of £1k, however this is money well spent and enables a successful opening night on a Saturday.

• 3.6.2 Royalties for this show were 18%, £7k.

• 3.6.3 Scenery/video wall/lighting ensured the show was artistically successful. Sound at £3k ensures an extremely high standard.

• 3.6.4 With only 6 in the band, orchestra costs were reduced this year.

• 3.7 Mr Gill thanked Peter Woodhead for organising the programme sponsors and adverts.

• 3.8 Mr Gill thanked the Ladies committee, who sell the programmes, where we made approximately £1k profit.

• 3.9 Attendance at the dinner show was disappointing with only 114 tickets sold. The profile of people attending this event needs to change, as it is currently an aging audience. The raffle on the dinner show evening is a good fund raiser for the Ladies Committee.

• 3.9.1 The meal at the dinner show was disappointing and a meeting has taken place with the Mechanics to ensure improvements for this year.

• 3.9.2 Mr Gill reported that £10k had been transferred from the Societies current account to the Societies building society account to attract some interest.

• 3.9.3 Mr Gill reported a presentation to Mr Anthony Williams took place at the end of the show to acknowledge 25 years and 37 shows with BLOS as Director/Choreographer.

• 3.10 Mr Gill thanked Mr Charles Hopkinson, Independent Examiner, who was proposed and reappointed for the coming year. This is an honouree position, no fee is paid.

• 3.11 There were no questions; the treasurer’s report and accounts were adopted.

4 CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

• 4.1 Mr Gill said a lot of what he had to say had been covered in the treasurer’s report. He commented on the great attendance for the AGM.

• 4.2 Mr Gill thanked the committee for their unswerving support, which he gratefully accepts.

• 4.3 Thanks were given to the production team – Anthony Williams, Steven and Simon MercerMurray.

• 4.4 Special thanks to all who helped with Calendar Girls with their own time as volunteers. Most involved with BLOS donate their time.

• 4.5 There are only two amateur societies left performing at the Mechanics. We are fortunate to have this lovely venue. Thanks were given to the Mechanics staff who are always helpful.

• 4.5.1 On the negative side are the ever increasing costs and the additional £2.00 per ticket sold they will take in future instead of booking fees. This is because Burnley Leisure are a not for profit organisation and this money contributes towards the upkeep of the building. If the same number of tickets are sold this year it would mean a reduction in revenue of £4,270.

• 4.5.2 Credit card fees will be passed onto the Society in future, this would have been £1,500 on Calendar Girls.

• 4.5.3 From 2024 the cost for each performance including a matinee will be £1,250, an increase of £250 per performance.

• 4.5.4 These costs will have an impact on the shows we choose to perform in future.

• 4.6 Due to popular demand for 2023 we have taken a gamble on the hilarious Mel Brooks show, Young Frankenstein, Mr Gill urged everyone to help sell tickets for this show, including the dinner show.

• 4.7 We have commitment and dates for November from the Mechanics for the next 5 years and for a Spring concert 11[th] –13[th] April 2024

• 4.8 Calendar girls was artistically remarkable, each year we always have comments on “best show yet”, however the tributes and compliments this year were phenomenal.

• 4.9 The set, video wall, sound all complimented each other. Wally and Anthony excelled themselves and were commended.

• 4.9.1 Unfortunately Wally is retiring this year from some of his set building commitments. Mr Gill gave thanks to Wally for all his commitment and work for BLOS for the last 22 years. He will be a hard act to follow.

• 4.10 Mr Gill paid tribute to members who have passed away this year.

• 4.10.1 Mrs Ruth Cotton who joined from Bacup and been an active member of amateur dramatics for over 40 years. She started at BLOS with her husband in the 1990s as a member of the cast, she has since been treasurer and part of the Ladies Committee. She will be sadly missed

• 4.10.2 Mr Michael Riley, our former Chairman’s son, who was an active backstage member until he left the area, and attended the dinner show every year.

• 4.11 Mr Gill reported Mrs Kathryn Rawlinson’s resignation from the executive committee due to her health. She joined BLOS at the age of 16 in 1957 as part of the chorus. Later she became part of the Ladies Committee and took on the role of chairman in 1980, a position she still holds. A wonderful person who has done a tremendous amount of work for BLOS and other societies.

• 4.12 Mr Gill thanked Mr Raymond Bennett for his sound advice throughout the year.

5 LADIES COMMITTEE REPORT

• 5.1 Mrs Morris reported, due to Mrs Rawlinson’s absence due to being on holiday. The aim of the Ladies Committee is to help and raise funds to support our productions. The main income is from raffles during the week of the show, especially the dinner show.

• 5.2 The ladies enjoy providing refreshments for rehearsals. It was difficult at first in the new rehearsal rooms, however the teething problems have been overcome.

• 5.3 There have been no extra fund raising events since before Covid, due to diminishing numbers of the committee, due to age and illness.

• 5.4 Anyone is welcome to join the Ladies committee or help on an ad hoc basis with refreshments at rehearsals or raffle during the week of the show.

• 5.5 The Ladies Committee accounts were circulated at the meeting.

6 AMENDMENT TO RULE 4

• 6.1 It was proposed, and agreed, to amend Rule 4 of the Societies constitution to:

• 6.1.1 The Society shall be managed by a Committee consisting of the following officers, namely; Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and up to seven members of the Society. At least three of the Committee members shall be ladies, five to form a quorum.

• 6.1.2 A copy of the Societies constitution are attached to these minutes.

7 ELECTION OF OFFICERS

• 7.1 At the 2022 AGM a request was made for any volunteers to assist on the executive committee to come forward. Mr Alan Whittaker volunteered for the vacancy of Vice Chair and was coopted onto the committee as a non-voting member.

• 7.2 All officers were up for re-election; as there had been no nominations and everyone, with the exception of Mrs Kathryn Rawlinson, was prepared to continue to serve, they were re-elected.

8 SUBSCRIPTIONS

• 8.1 There was a proposal to increase the annual subscription for the next financial year February 2024 to £30. This fee is used towards the Societies insurance to ensure all members are covered. This was agreed and all at the meeting in favour.

• 8.2 Please pay subscriptions promptly.

9 AOB

• 9.1 It was proposed, and agreed, under Rule 11 of the society’s constitution to award Anthony Williams life membership of the Society, in recognition of his service and commitment to the Society.

• 9.2 At the NODA awards in February 2023 Anthony was presented with an outstanding achievement award.

The Chairman thanked everyone for their attendance, and to the committee for the work they do behind the scenes, underpinned by a great artistic direction team.

The meeting closed at 8:05pm.

BURNLEY LIGHT OPERA SOCIETY BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 JANUARY 2023

ASSETS DEPOSIT MARSDEN BUILDING SOCIETY CURRENT ACCOUNT ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PAYMENTS IN ADVANCE/DEBTORS (YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN ROYALTY DEPOSIT) RECEIPTS IN ADVANCE AND CREDITORS		31/01/2023 15,472 14,732	31/01/2022
			15,343 7,210
		30,204 500	22,553 2,321
		30,704 0	24,874 0
		30,704	24,874

Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Burnley Light Opera Society

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Burnley Light Opera Society (the Trust) for the year ended 31 January 2023.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the Trust 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 to believe that in any material respect:

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

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Charles Hopkinson

Associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales

26 Longworth Road, Egerton, Bolton, BL7 9TS

21 April 2023