THE LEEDS AMATEUR OPERATIC SOCIETY Registered Charity No. 509915 Annual Report of the Trustees and Unaudited Financial Statements For the period 1st September 2024 to 31st August 2025
THE LEEDS AMATEUR OPERATIC SOCIErY Annual Report and Financial Statements For the period I" September 2024 to 31" August 2025 Contents Page Legal & Administrative Information Trustee's Annual Report Sto7 Independent Examiner's Report Statement of Financial Artivities Balance Sheet io Notes to the accounts IltolS Trustee's Declaration 16 Report and F.'nancial Statement5 For the Year Ended 31 August 2025 Page 2
THE LEEDS AMATEUR OPERATIC SOCIETY Legal and Admlnlstrailve Informatlon REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 509915 (Englènd and Wales) GOVERNING OFFICERS Name Position Mrj M Fairfoot Mr P Hopkins Mrs B Booth IFCCAI Mr A Thomson Mrs G M Ellis President Chairman HonoraryTreasurer Business Manager Honorary Secretary COMMIThEE MEMBERS Mrs K Townend Vice Chairman Mrs J D Page Mr l Thomson Mr M Porter Life Vice President Method of appolntment The Society was 8overned by the above Officers. who are elected annually at the AGM, together with committee members. who are elected for three years. two of whom retire annually. Key Management Remuneration Mr lan Thomson recelved payment during the year for the provislon of stage management services provided to the charity during the 2025 produttion of Les Misérables. The details of thi5 payment are Set out in the note5 to the accounts. No other trustees received remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year. Correspondence address Bankers Mrs Beverley Booth IFCCAI 3 Stratton Park Brighouse HD6 3SN SantaTrder Park Row Leeds Tel:_ 0800 030 4321 Independent Examiner C W Dlx Llmlted Accountants & Business Advisors 4 Silkwood Court Wakefield WF5 9TP Report and Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 August 2025 Page 3
GoverTrin8 document The Leeds Amateur Operatic Society ILAOSI is a constituted organisation governed by the Rules of Membership dated 2020. It is registered with the Charity Commission number 509915. Rules revised 1966, amended October 1967, October 1976 and Odober 2005. Reviewed and amended December 2020. November 2023 and December 2024. Report and Finap.rial Statements For the Year Ended 31 August 2025 Page 4
THE LEEDS AMATEUR OPERATIC SOCIETY Trustee's report for the peiiod I September 2024 to 31 August 2025 OBJEcfs AND POLICIES The objerts of the Society are to foster the public knowledge and appreciation of Music and Drama by means of public performances by voluntary but subscription paying members and to donate part of its production surplus to charitable purposes as the Trustees shall from time to time determine. PUBLIC BENEFIT The Trusiees have paid due re8ard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activitie5 the charity should undertake. AcfiviTIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS- CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT Charitable Artlvltles The activities of the Society during the year involved one very excitin8 main production at the Leeds Grand Theatre in April 2025, with a Major new initiative from Cameron Mackintosh. the UK amateur premiere of Les Miserables Let The People Singl The Society wa5 invited and granted special pemiission from Cameron Mackintosh and Music Theatrè International IMTII, to perform one of eleven amateur premieres of this most beloved musical. We worked with three other local groups to produce the best PO55ible community-wide production, to celebrate 40 years of this iconic show and showcase the range of talent in the West Yorkshire region and the power of amateur theatre. The produrtion was a significant undertaking for the Society. This was both, the most expensive production we have ever staged, wa5 created on an unprecedented scale in the history of the society. We are proud to report that our production of Les Misérables wa5 a resounding success and subsequently celebrated by MTI with a spectacular 40, anniversary finale at the televised Royal Variety Performance in December 2025. This featured over 400 performers at the Royal Albert Hall, including a showtase of amateur talent with members from our very own LAOS cast, performing alon8side West End and international perfomiers. together with a star-studded line-up of professional artists. Our production at the Leeds Grand was widely praised as a spectacular, near professional quality amateur show and a stunning example of community theatre at its very best. Les Mlsérables returned a proflt of £80,015 delightin8 audience5 Of more than twelve thousand across twelve performances, with 70% of the theatre capacity sold compared to 59% for Legally Blonde In 2024. In the spirit of this community-wide project. the Society were delighted to welcome some new and exceptionally talented members into principal roles and Some a5 ensemble and choir. This enabled the Society to maintsin high standards and the objerts of the Society to be achieved. Ticket sales revenue and the performantes of Les Misérables were strong and propelled the ticket sales revenue for the Society to £435.182 for the first time in the Society history. This was a +226% increase compared to Legally Blonde in 2024 and commensurate with the increased production costs for this unique opportunity. The produrtion costs a550ciated with Les Miserables were significant and increased by +227% Ito £397,747) in comparison to those incurred by our previous produttion, Legally Blonde in 2024. This increase was representative of the sheer scale and quality of the production, the standèrds expected by MTI and the hire of The Leeds Grand theatre for a period of two full weeks. Report and Financial Ststements For the Year Ended 31 August 2025 Page 5
Aligned with the objects of the Society and to recognise the efforts and invaluable support from the three other local amateur companie5 who participated in the project, the Trustees approved the payment of a charitable donation from the production surplus, of £6,0(X) each to Buttershaw St Paul's Amateur Operatic Society, Leeds Insurance Dramatic and Operatic Society and Wakefield West Riding Theatre Companv. The Societys bank balance5 remain healthy at £227,753. of which £207,753 are unrestritted funds which the trustees consider as essentlal to the working capital requirement to fund the investment in future productions. This amount will fund the production costs for the followlng flnanclal year. We are mindful that many amateur socletles have sadly ceased to exist or have Scaled back theii productions. due to the escalating costs of theatre hire, productlon cost5 and royalties. The society is activety taking steps to address these challenges, ensuring that we remain resilient and sustainable to help secure the long-term success of LAOS and ensure our produrtlons continue to inspire and entertain for years to come. Several committee member changes were made at the AGM in December 2024. Mike Porter retired from the role as Chairman and hi5 role was replaced by Paul Hopkins. The role of Life Vice President was bestowed on Mike, in recognition of his long-standlng dedication and hard work for the society. Steve Sefton resigned from hi5 role a5 committee member and lan Thomson was appointed to the committee as Productlon Manager. I would Ilke to extend my heartfelt thanks to every member of the committee for their volunteer time, energy, and dedication they give to ensure LAOS continues to stand proudly as one of the leading amateur theatre companies in the UK. l also want to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of our incredible behind-the-scenes team. You are an integral part of the LAOS family, and your expertise ensures that every produrtion runs Seamlessly and with creativity and professionallsm. My final thanks go to the membership, the beating heart of LAOS. It is your passion, commitment and talent that bring our shows to life on stage. With every performancei you remind us why arnateur theatre matters and why oui company thrives. Together, we have celebrated a unique twelve months in the long history of our society spanning 135 years and l am excited to look ahead to the amazing produrtions we will share over the coming years. We are now looking ahead to our next major production. Shrek the Musical, to be performed at the Leeds Grand Theatre in April 2026. Paul Hopkins, Chairman Report and Financial Statements Forthe Year Ended 31 August 2025 Page 6
THE LEEDS AMATEUR OPERATIC SOCIETY Trustee's report for the perfod I" September 2024 to 31" August 2025 Icontlnuedl TRUSTEES RESPONSIBILITIES IN RELATION TO THE FINANaAL STATEMENTS Law applicable to charltles in England and Wales requires the Trustee5 to prepare financial accounts for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure. of the charity forthe year. In preparing these financial statements, the trustee5 are required to: Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistentlvi Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent- State whether applicable UK accounting standards have been followed. subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; Prepare the accounts on a going concern basis. unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in operation. The Trustees ère 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 accounts comply with the applicable laws and regulations. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps forthe prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularitie5. Report and Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 August 2025 Page 7
C&D INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES ON THE FINA14CIAL STATEMENTS OF LeeDS AMATEUR opeRATIC SOCIETY W& report on the accounts of Leeds Amateur QFeratiG Society for the year ended 31 August 2025 Respectivè respon$lbllities of trustees and examlner The chartty's Iruslees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. Th8 charitys trustee$ consider that an audit 15 not quIred for this year (under sections 144 and 145 of the Charities Ael 2011 (the 2011 Act)) and that an independent examination is ne8ded. It is our résponsibility to.. examine the accounts {under Section 145{3) of the 2011 Act)., to follow the procedures laid do In the General Directrons given by the Charity Commission {under section 145{S1 of the 2011 Act,. and to state whether particular matters have come to our attention. 8•sls ol Independ*nt examlnefs report Our examination was carried out in ac¢ordance with the General Directions given by the Charfly Commission. An ex8minalion includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of tho accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual iterns Lir dis¢losures in the accounts, and seeking 8Wanations from you a8 tru51ees conceming any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, .and consequently we do not express an audit cpin1 on the view given by the ac¢wnls. Indeyndent examlnerf8 ststement In connection with our frxamination. no matter has come to our attention.. which gives Lrs reasonabl6 cause to believe that in, any material respect. Ihe requirements-. to keep accounts.ng records in accordance th section 130 and 131 ofthe 201 l Act". and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the ae¢ounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met.. or to which. in our opinion. attention shoukl be drawn in ord81 lo enable a proper derStandIng of the accounts to b8 reached. Dlx Llmi Accountants & 4 Silkwood Court Wakefield WF5 97P Iness Advlsoffs CfvD C W Dix Litnited 4B Silkwtrod Court Wakle1 WFS 9TP- T•lophone 01924 263766- D1ctOr CW Dix emall chri5@thrisdrrtaccountants.co.uk- web www.chrlsdl%accountants.co.uk Company number 8198869
THE LEEDS AMATEUR OPERATIC SOCIETY ststement of Flnancial Artivities for the period I September 2024 to 31 Auzust 2025 {Including summary Income and expenditure account) 2025 Totsl funds 2024 Totsl funds Incoming resources Donation5 Interest Received Member5 Subscriptions & Show Fees Other Revenue Programme Sales Ticket Sales Total Incoming resources 1,473 1.850 12.650 2,726 13,707 435,182 467,588 675 1,530 5,074 1,124 3.387 192,326 204,116 Resources expended Audit & Accountancy Fees Charltable Donatlons Consultin8 Fees Costumes Depreciation Insurance & Subscriptions IT Software & Consumables Marketin& Publicity & Programmes Musical Direttor Orchestra Producerfs Fee Room Hire Royalties Scenery, Prop5, Sound & Li8htin8 Stage Management Stationery Sundry Expenses Theatre Rent Totsl resources expended Net incoming $OUrceS Fund balances brought forward Fund balances carrlèd forward 613 18,ICQ 521 3.(X)O 1,395 2,315 749 15,925 749 1,321 190 22,465 9,591 26,829 9,415 8,289 85,878 87,750 16.531 1.126 73 15,902 6,530 9.055 6,050 2,769 38,480 26,150 3,450 5,461 93,6C4J 402,707 64.881 168,515 233,396 4.468 52.270 174.303 29,813 138,702 168,515 Report and Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 August 2025 Pa8e 9
THE LEEDS AMATEUR OPERATIC SOCIETY Balance sheet as at 31" August 2025 2025 2024 Fixed assets Tangible assets Total fixed assets 750 750 1.499 1,499 Current et5 Debtors Prepayments Cash at bank- 271 Cash at bank-480 Total current assets 5,900 5,123 225,166 161,364 2,587 1,079 233,653 167,566 Current Ilablllties: amounts fallire due within one year I,C(17 550 Net current assets 232,647 167,016 Total Assets less Current Llabllltles 233,396 168.515 Funds Unrestricted funds before Prior year adjustment Add surplu5 Less deficit 168,515 138,702 I20,0) 64,881 29.813 TOTAL Unre5trirted funds Bursary Fund Total fund$ 213,396 168,515 20,000 233,396 168.515 Report a4d F:nancial Statements Forthe Year Ended 31 August 2025 Page 10
THE LEEDS AMATEUR OPERATIC SOCIErY Notes to the accounts for the period 1° September 2024 to 31 August 2025 l. Accounting pollcles Basls of accounting The finartcial statements have been prepad under the historical cost conventlon and In accordance with the Charities SORP IFRS 1021 and FRS 102 Section IA. the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland. The charty is an unincorporated association and 15 a public benefit entity for the purposes of FRS 102. Golng Concern The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a goir concern. The financial 5tatement5 have therefore been prepared on a going concern basis. Income Recognltlon All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Artivities ISOFAI when the charity becomes entitled to the resources, the trustees are virtually certain they will receive the resources and the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability. Grants and donations Grants and donations are only included in the SOFA when the charity has unconditional entitlement to the resources. Where grants aye related to perfomance and specific dellverables, they are accounted for as the charity earns the right to consideration by its performance. Expendlture Re¢ognltlon and Liabllltles Expenditure is recognised on an actruals basis as a liability is incurred. Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or construrtive obligation committing the charity to pay out the resources. Taxatlon As a charity, the organisation benefits from rate5 relief and is generally exempt from income tax and capital 8ains tax but not from VAT. Irrecoverable VAT is included in the cost of those items to which it relates. Tangible fixed assets Tangible fixed assets are Capitalised and included at cost including any Incidental expenses of acquisition. Gifted assets re shown atthe value to the charity on receipt. Depreciation is provided on all tangible fixed assets at rates calculated to write off the Cost on a straight line basis over their experted useful economic lives as follows- Proje¢t and office equipment- 15%; Computing equipment-25% Fund a¢¢ounting Unrestricted fund5 are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Restricted funds are subject to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor or through the terms of an appeal. Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the accounts. Report and Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 August 2025 Page 11
THE LEEDS AMATEUR OPERATIC SOCIETY 2. Production Income & Expenditu Account 2025 2024 Incomlng resources Donations Show Fees & Sponsorship Programme Sales other Ticket Sales 1,255 7.000 13.707 2,617 435,182 459,761 2.778 3.387 192,326 198,491 Expendilure Costumes Donations 15.925 18,(K)O 226 22,465 9.590 26.829 9,415 8.159 85.878 87,750 16,531 3.379 93,6(M) 397,747 2,315 Insurance Marketin& Publicity & Program Printing Musical Direttor Orchestra Producerfs Fee Room Hire Royalties Scenery. Props, Lightin8 & Sound Stage Management Sundry Expenses Theatre Rent 15,902 6,530 9.055 6,050 2,464 38,480 26,150 3,450 4,257 52,270 166.923 Stsrplusl(Deficit) 62,014 31.568 Report and Finarypia! Qtatements For the Year Ended 31 August 2025 Page 12
THE LEEDS AMATEUR OPERATIC SOCIETY 3. General Expenses 2025 2024 Incoming resources Donations Interest Received Other Revenue Members Subscriptions 218 1,850 108 5,651 7,827 675 1,530 76 3,345 5,626 Expendlture Audit & Accountancy Fees Charitable Donations Consultancy Depreciation Insurance & Subscriptions Room Hire 5tatiDnery & IT Sundry Expense5/Reimbur5e Officials 613 100 521 3,C(10 749 1,095 130 190 749 1,126 120 73 2,083 4,960 919 {6.508} Surplus1{Deficit) 2,867 {882) Repo.. and Fip.ar.cial Statements For the Year Ended 31 August 2025 Page 13
THE LEEDS AMATEUR OPERATIC SOCIETY Notes to the accounts {continued) for the perlod I" September 2024 to 31 August 2025 4. Trustee's Remuneratlon and Benefits Production expenditure stage managerfs fee includes payment made to Trustee lan Thomson, who received payment during the year for the provision of stage management Services provided to the charity during the produrtion of Les Misérable5. The total amount paid was £5,000. This payment wa5 deemed necessary to minimise the produrtion costs assoclated with the hire of the Leeds Grand Theatre resources for their provision of stage management seryices across the two- week run of Les Misérables. In line with the charStWs confllct-of-lnterest policy the trustee, nor any person connected with them. took any part in any diSCLl55ions or decisions relating to their own remuneration. No other trustees nor any person connected with them, has received remuneration or benefits from the tharity during the year, or 15 due to retelve any remuneration from the charitVs fur)ds. Trustee's Expenses During the year Trustee expenses of £4,156 were paid as a direct reimbijrsement of charity expenses to six of the Trustees, who had kindly paid in absence of the charity running a petty cash fund. or having a charity payment card available at the time of payment. 5. Tangible Fixed Assets IT Equipmenl Total Cost At I September 2024 Additions At 31" August 2025 2,997 2,997 2,997 2,997 Depreclatlon At I September 2024 Charge for the Year At 31" August 2025 1,498 749 2,247 1,498 749 2,247 Net Book Value At 31" August 2024 1,499 1,499 At 31st August 2025 750 750 Report and Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 AugLtst 2025 Page 14
THE LEEDS AMATEUR OPERATIC SOCIETY Notes to the accounts (continued) for the period I" September 2024 to 31" August 2025 6. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 2025 2024 Prepayments 5,900 5,900 5.123 5.123 Prepayment5 are associaled with the advance payment of deposits towards produclion-related costs for the following year. 7. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 2025 2024 Accruals 1,006 I,CQ6 550 550 8. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS At 1.9.24 Net Movement in Funds At 31.8.25 Unrestricted General Funds Prlor year adjustment TOTAL Unrestrlcted Funds 168,515 64.881 120,0001 44,881 233.396 {20,0} 213,396 168,515 Helen Hall Memorial- Bursary Fund TOTAL FUNDS 20.OLYJ 64,881 20,0 233,396 168,515 The LAOS Bursary Fund, originally established by a 2020 bequest, supports member training deemed worthwhile by trustee5. Open to all members, funding requires a successful application adhering to the LAOS Bursary Policy. The fund provides financial support for training costs to foster skills development within the society. Report and Financiol Statements For the Year Ended 31 August 2025 PaEe 15
The tru5tee5 declare that they have approved the trustees. report above. Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees: Signaturel5) Full namels} .' GILLIAN ELLIS Position . Honorary Secretary Date . 1610312026 Report and Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 August 2025 Page 16