## The Bradford Catholic Players
Charity number 701402
Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 January 2024
## The Bradford Catholic Players
Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 January 2024
|**Contents**|**Page**|
|---|---|
|Trustees' report|2 to 4|
|Examiner's report|5|
|Statement of financial activities|6|
|Balance sheet|7|
|Notes to the accounts|8 to 10|
1
## The Bradford Catholic Players
## Trustees' report for the year ended 31 January 2024
## **Reference and administrative details of the charity, its trustees and advisors**
The trustees during the financial year and up to and including the date the report was approved were: **Name Position**
**Position** Martin Walker Chairman Anne Copley Secretary Terence Stamp Treasurer Christine Fozard Business Manager Simon Carroll Graham Robinson Carmel Dylak Angela Hurtault Marie Stamp Tanya Elsegood
**Charity number**
**Charity number** 701402 Registered in England and Wales **Registered and principal address Bankers** 24 Roydsliffe Road Barclays Bank plc Heaton 10 Market Street Bradford Bradford BD9 5PN BD1 1EG
## **Independent examiner**
Rhys North ACA
## **Structure, governance and management**
The charity is governed by a constitution adopted 1927 as amended 26 February 1965 and 13 March 1989.
## **Method of recruitment and appointment of trustees**
As set out in the rules of Bradford Catholic Players, the Executive Committee (including the Officers) and the Auditor shall retire annually but shall be eligible for re-election at the Annual General Meeting.
There shall be posted on the Society notice board, at least fourteen days prior to the date of each Annual General Meeting at which any election is to take place, a sheet for the nomination of Officers and Executive Committee for the following year.
The consent of the member nominated must be obtained before their name is entered on the nomination sheet. The Chairman shall have been a member of the Society for at least one year on the Executive Committee.
If more names are proposed than the number required, the election shall be by ballot. All members nominated for the Executive Committee must be 18 years of age or over and fully paid up members in the previous financial year ending 31st January.
## **Trustee induction and training**
New committee members (trustees) are provided with details of their obligations as a charity trustee at the first meeting of the new committee in each year.
## **Organisation**
The society’s executive committee is the charity’s board of trustees and comprises of a maximum of 12 members, all of whom administer the charity. The committee usually meets monthly although ad-hoc smaller meetings may take place if required.
2
## The Bradford Catholic Players
## Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 January 2024
## **Objectives and activities**
## **The charity's objects**
To educate members in the musical, dramatic, performing and expressive arts.
To promote the spiritual life of the members.
To further the development of public appreciation and taste in the above arts.
To assist such charitable institutions and charitable purposes as the Executive Committee from time to time determine.
## **The charity's main activities**
The strategies employed to achieve the charity's objectives are to:
Present a major production each year, usually a musical show;
Stage smaller scale productions each year such as concerts or reviews;
Offer opportunities for people to get involved in arts activity exploring their own creative powers; and Provide facilities for amateur artists to develop.
## **Public benefit statement**
In setting our objectives and planning our activities our Trustees have given serious consideration to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit and in particular the advancement of dramatic and operatic arts.
## **Achievements and performance**
In late autumn/winter 2022, Bradford Catholic Players (BCP) returned to the stage, after the Covid lockdown 2020 into 2021, with a production of ‘Evita’ at Yeadon Town Hall. This was a new theatre venue for BCP which was received well by members and patrons, alike.
Come the turn of the new year, 2023, after a Christmas break our attention was focused on supporting those who had arrived in our local community from The Ukraine. Rehearsals started for a concert/review production to be staged at The Ukrainian Club (Bradford) in a cabaret format. The event generated funds which were donated to the community in supporting refugees with housing and associated living costs. The event also enabled BCP to identify a production talent which we plan to work with in the future.
Our first face to face AGM, in 3 years, in Spring 2023 (supported inevitably by the now familiar online link) established the need to build capacity for the future especially in supporting the organisational side of the charity, as well as ensuring the skills and experience required in production management are developed in the next generation.
In early summer, our annual celebration of Mass was received well by current and former members with their families. At the end of Mass, Very Rev Canon K Walker (BCP Chaplain) was our guiding light as our new President, Mary Brown, was blessed and inaugurated; with our retiring President, Catherine Taylor, presenting her with the Presidential Medal for 2023-2024.
Summer 2023 also enabled BCP to respond to a request to support our local Marie Curie Hospice during their volunteer week. An exceptional afternoon, when volunteers were being thanked for their services supporting The Hospice, witnessed BCP members delivering a well-received musical presentation, in the grounds, for volunteers, staff, patients and their families; all of which enabled a reflection of how important collective and mutual support is all of the time to support those in need, especially at the end of life.
Within the concert season, above, the process of auditioning and casting for a production of ‘Anything Goes’ was completed before rehearsals started in early summer. Circumstances demanded the identified production team be amended and we were able to secure the services of an emerging talent to support. The outcome in late 2023 was a well-received production week but it did not engage the support required at the box office, the result of which was a posted loss; a scenario we are mindful to address in 2024.
3
## The Bradford Catholic Players Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 January 2024
## **Achievements and performance continued**
At the end of 2023, attention was focused on ensuring the best possible event was in place in 2024. A decision made very late in 2022, meant a quiet period was always planned for Winter into Spring 2024, with our focus looking to maximise efforts for an autumn production 2024. The performing rights secured for that production were reviewed as a priority and the production changed with the support of license holders. By the end of 2023 into the early part of January 2024 all attention was focused on the process of ensuring the success of Sister Act in November 2024.
## **Our volunteers**
Besides those amateur performers and artists who display their talents on the stage, the charity is fortunate in having a great many volunteers who give their time freely to help with all aspects of staging a production, selling tickets, making props and scenery, etc., and we thank them sincerely for the time they dedicate to these tasks.
## **Financial review**
The net expenditure for the year was £12,881, all relating to unrestricted funds.
During the reporting period:
No income was derived from contracts with central or local government;
No grants were received from central or local government; No staff were employed by the charity; and
The charity’s financial controls were reviewed by the Treasurer and approved by trustees.
## **Our pricing policy**
As far as it is possible to do so, it is the charity’s policy to offer concerts and shows at ticket prices that will maximise the scope for participation among people from all income brackets whilst at the same time returning a surplus in order to bolster the charity’s funds and make charitable donations possible.
## **Investment powers and policy**
The trustees, having regard to the liquidity requirements of staging musical shows and concerts have operated a policy of keeping available funds in an interest-bearing deposit account and seek to achieve a rate on deposit which matches or exceeds inflation as measured by the retail prices index.
## **Reserves policy**
The charity's free reserves, excluding fixed assets, at the year end were £40,890.
Reserves are needed to bridge the gap between the spending of funds on a production and receiving of income from ticket sales. The trustees consider that the ideal level of reserves as at 31 January 2024 to be £35,000. The charity’s net liquid assets are in excess of this reserve minimum.
Approved by the board of trustees on 28/11/2024
Martin Walker (Trustee)
4
## The Bradford Catholic Players
## Independent examiner's report to the trustees of The Bradford Catholic Players
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 January 2024, which are set out on pages 6 to 10.
## **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 charity's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act. 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 charity as required by section 130 of the Charities Act; 2 the accounts do not accord with those records; or
- 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 this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Rhys North ACA
29/11/2024
5
## The Bradford Catholic Players
## Statement of Financial Activities
## (including summary income and expenditure account) for the year ended 31 January 2024
|Notes
**Income from:**
Major production - Anything Goes/Evita
(2)
Minor production - Sing for Ukraine
(3)
Society income:
Subscriptions
Northcote subscriptions
Donations
Fundraising
Interest received
Miscellaneous income
**Total income**
**Expenditure on:**
Production overheads - Anything Goes/Evita
(2)
Production overheads - Sing for Ukraine
(3)
Society overheads:
Annual Mass
Depreciation
Dinner Dance
Insurance
Ukraine donation
NODA conference and medals
Subscriptions
Northcote subscription
Website
Members' welfare
Sundries and bad debts
**Total expenditure**
**Net income / (expenditure)**
**Fund balances brought forward**
**Fund balances carried forward**|2024
Total
funds
£
25,517
6,605
1,373
145
325
142
316
-
34,423
34,927
5,435
141
-
677
440
3,000
1,800
230
-
209
-
445
47,304
(12,881)
54,727
41,846|2023
Total
funds
£
38,578
-
823
112
205
238
9
142
40,107
36,969
-
104
1,203
-
459
1,000
708
72
180
317
116
149
41,277
(1,170)
55,897
54,727|
|---|---|---|
All incoming resources and resources expended derive from continuing activities.
6
## The Bradford Catholic Players
## Balance sheet
|as at 31 January 2024
Notes
**Fixed assets**
Tangible assets
(4)
**Total fixed assets**
**Current assets**
Debtors and prepayments
(5)
Cash at bank and in hand
(6)
**Total current assets**
**Current liabilities:**
**amounts falling due within one year**
Creditors
**Total current liabilities**
**Net current assets / (liabilities)**
**Total assets less current liabilities**
**Net assets**
**Funds**
Unrestricted funds
**Total funds**|2024
Total
£
956
956
2,913
37,977
40,890
-
-
40,890
41,846
41,846
41,846
41,846|2023
Total
£
508
508
6,020
48,933
54,953
734
734
54,219
54,727
54,727
54,727
54,727|
|---|---|---|
The financial statements were approved by the board of trustees on 28/11/2024
Martin Walker (Trustee)
7
Notes to the accounts
## The Bradford Catholic Players
## for the year ended 31 January 2024
## **1 Accounting policies**
## **Basis of accounting**
These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) and with the Charities Act 2011.
The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. There has been no change to the accounting policies since last year. No changes have been made to the accounts for previous years.
## **Going concern**
The trustees are satisfied that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue.
## **Incoming resources**
All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when the charity becomes entitled to the resources, if it is more likely than not that the trustees 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 are related to performance and specific deliverables, they are accounted for as the charity earns the right to consideration by its performance.
## **Expenditure and liabilities**
Expenditure is recognised on an accrual basis as a liability is incurred. Liabilities are recognised where it is more likely than not that there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out the resources and the amount of the obligation can be measured with reasonable certainty.
## **Taxation**
As a charity the organisation benefits from rates relief and is generally exempt from income tax and capital gains 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 costing more than £400 are capitalised and included at cost including any incidental expenses of acquisition. Gifted assets are shown at the 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 expected useful economic lives as follows: Office equipment and furniture - over 4 years Lighting and audio equipment - over 4 years Staging and pianos - over 4 years Library scores - not depreciated
## **Fund accounting**
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity.
Restricted funds are subjected 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.
8
## The Bradford Catholic Players
## Notes to the accounts continued
## for the year ended 31 January 2024
|**2 Major production**
Income:
Ticket sales
Patrons and Vice Presidents
Sponsorship
Programme sales
Programme adverts
Programme sponsors
Raffle/fundraising
Production overheads:
Orchestra and accompanist
Production team
Publicity/programme printing
Royalties
Scenery, props, sound and light
Wardrobe and costumes
Sundry expenses
Venue hire
Net profit/(loss)
**3 Minor production**
Income:
Ticket sales
Donations
Production overheads:
Orchestra and accompanist
Production team
Publicity/programme printing
Scenery, props, sound and light
Wardrobe and costumes
Sundry expenses
Venue hire
Net Profit/(loss)|2024
Anything
Goes
£
21,468
-
45
802
2,130
525
547
25,517
6,828
5,600
1,741
5,675
4,472
3,745
866
6,000
34,927
(9,410)
2024
Sing for
Ukraine
£
6,161
444
6,605
1,758
1,850
160
80
52
1,035
500
5,435
1,170|2023
Evita
£
33,936
50
-
1,157
2,885
550
-
38,578
7,490
5,000
2,534
7,188
5,309
2,820
628
6,000
36,969
1,609
2023
-
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-|
|---|---|---|
9
## The Bradford Catholic Players
## Notes to the accounts continued
## for the year ended 31 January 2024
|**4 **
**5 **
**6 **|**Tangible assets**
**Cost**
At 1 February 2023
Additions
At 31 January 2024
**Depreciation**
At 1 February 2023
Charge for year
At 31 January 2024
**Net book value**
At 31 January 2024
At 31 January 2023
**Debtors and prepayments**
Debtors
Prepayments
**Cash at bank and in hand**
Cash at bank
Cash in hand|£
500
-
500
-
-
-
500
500
Library
scores|£
12,454
-
12,454
12,450
-
12,450
4
4
Staging
and pianos|£
11,222
448
11,670
11,220
-
11,220
450
2
Lighting
and audio
equipment|£
1,695
-
1,695
1,693
-
1,693
2
2
2024
£
761
2,152
2,913
2024
£
37,798
179
37,977
Office
equipment
and
furniture|Total
£
25,871
448
26,319
25,363
-
25,363
956
508
2023
£
3,078
2,942
6,020
2023
£
48,866
67
48,933|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
## **7 Related party transactions**
## **Trustee expenses**
No trustee received any expenses during this year or the previous year.
## **Trustee remuneration and benefits**
No trustee received any remuneration or benefit during this or the previous year.
10