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2024-03-31-accounts

Charity registration number 702801

Company registration number 02490618 (England and Wales)

DANCE NORTH

ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

DANCE NORTH

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Trustees Ms S Dewar
Mr M Ross (Appointed 19 December
2023)
Ms C McMurchie
Mr D F Haley
Ms S Marland
Mr A Hope
Secretary Mr A Bhatt
Key Management Personnel Mr A Bhatt CEO and Artistic Director
Dr G Kleiman Head of Higher Education
Ms C Johns Executive Director
Ms A Dentith Senior Marketing Manager
Charity number 702801
Company number 02490618
Registered office Dance City
Temple Street
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 4BR
Auditor Robson Laidler Accountants Limited
Fernwood House
Fernwood Road
Jesmond
Newcastle upon Tyne
Tyne and Wear
England
NE2 1TJ
Bankers Barclays Bank plc
71 Grey Street
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE99 1JP
Solicitors Muckle LLP
Time Central
32 Gallowgate
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 4BF

DANCE NORTH

CONTENTS

Page
Trustees' report 1 - 7
Independent auditor's report 8 - 10
Statement of financial activities 11 - 12
Balance sheet 13
Statement of cash flows 14
Notes to the financial statements 15 - 26

DANCE NORTH

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's [governing document], the Companies Act 2006 and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to 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).

Objectives and activities

Objects and aims

The charity is governed by its constitution and its main objective is that of promoting, maintaining, improving and educating by the encouragement of the arts including dance, drama and music.

Fundraising disclosures

The charity is required to report how it deals with fundraising from the public. The charity has worked in this year with a professional fundraiser from a period of April 2023 to May 2023 to develop a grant pipeline from foundations and trusts. Any monies raised direct from the public follows all guidelines set out by the Charity Commission and UK law in every respect. We respect the privacy and contact preferences of all public donors.

Public benefit

The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.

Achievements and performance

Achievements and performance

Dance City's primary charitable objective is that of promoting, maintaining, improving and educating by the encouragement of the arts. We primarily focus on dance, but touch on drama and music and many other artforms too.

Dance City is catalyst, convenor, and creator of excellent dance and movement experiences from the North East, for the North East and the world. We act as a home and incubator for artists; a place where participants and audiences can experience dance and a place for students (including participants of non-accredited learning) to learn and create. Dance City is not a building, Dance City has a building: beyond our base in Newcastle we work from Berwick to Teesside, from Hexham to Sunderland.

This year has seen the launch of a new business plan, focused on resilience, data and income generation to support the long-term ambitions for growth of the dance sector in North East England. What emerged from this process is that our mission holds true: dance is forever, people will always want to dance, and our mission is to make great dance experiences possible. We have a significant opportunity to articulate a “dance journey” from first engagement onwards, in a way that no other regional organisation can, across four activity pillars.

  1. Participation, Engagement & Communities

  2. Education and Learning

  3. Artist & Workforce Development

  4. Artform & Audience Development

Underpinned by being an ambitious, dynamic, inclusive and environmental responsible organisation. Our Theory of Change illustrates a clear journey towards this; from short-term KPI to medium-term outcome, to long-term impact.

In 2025, Dance City celebrates its fortieth anniversary. The organisation will plan for a series of events and initiatives to mark this milestone, and ways to capture the heritage of Dance City and of dance in the North East. This will also support the organisation to look ahead, as far ahead to its fiftieth anniversary. The business plan for the next two years runs parallel with the building of a vision through to 2035 which builds for a stronger, healthier and prosperous future for dance in this region across three cornerstones: Arts, Learning, Health.

DANCE NORTH

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

1. Participation, Engagement & Communities

Engagement

The Dance City Engagement team has aligned their planning and work programmes to the organisations NPO targets, the main delivery groups being children and young people, older people and volunteers.

We were successful in achieving our volunteer target and reached 52 volunteers who supported as a critical friend or welcome volunteer within our building. We provided opportunities for volunteers to support the engagement annual festivals, CAT performances, class end of term shows, and professional company shows.

We have worked with 13 schools and community organisations, delivering 94 dance sessions with 758 children and young people taking part. We continue to maintain excellent relationships with these partners. In July 2023, Dance City was one of the partners chosen to deliver the U.Dance National festival, which consisted of two shows in our theatre, hosting 162 performers and 340 audience members. In March 2024, Dance City hosted the Regional U.Dance, which included 14 youth groups, 125 performers and a sell out at the box office, two groups were selected to represent the North East at the national festival in July 2024 in Liverpool.

Boundless, our 55+ dance company, continues to flourish with 14 members attending weekly. The group collaborated with Mature Movers in Kendal at the Brewery Arts and performed the work as part of our Inspire festival in January 2024, they also worked with three different artists and developed two pieces of work. We had 10 groups perform at the Inspire festival with 149 dancers. We have delivered weekly sessions to two different community organisations and continue to connect with these partners.

Dance City classes are now also delivered at Queens Hall in Hexham as part of our hub development. We have two regular weekly classes for 55+ and these are very well attended, with the vision to expand the class offer and focus on developing the over 55+ provision within Northumberland through satellite hubs which would be supported by successful funding bids.

Public Classes

Our public classes programme continued to provide inspirational dance moments for thousands of people; in 202324, there were nearly 2,900 classes with nearly 30,000 attendances, and 36 artists engaged to teach classes. We provide a wide range of classes: genres range from ballet to hip hop to contemporary; ages from under 5 to 70+, and levels from beginners to expert, and will continue to experiment with new types of classes as the audience grows. In 2023-24, 17 new classes were introduced based on customer feedback, including Zumba, Tai Chi, Contemporary Advanced and Sensory Dance for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. October Halloween Camp, February and May half term camp were added to our Easter and Summer Camps and continue to do well, providing intensive, yet informal, learning for children during the school holidays.

2. Education and Learning

Centre for Advanced Training (CAT)

Dance City’s CAT is part of the Department for Education’s (DfE) Music and Dance Scheme offering dance training for young people, aged 10-18. Means tested grants are available so affordability is not a barrier to taking part. Dance City also supports families with tuition and travel bursaries. The 2023-24 year saw 112 students participate across Newcastle and Sunderland in both contemporary and street dance programmes, 73% of whom were in receipt of means-tested DfE funding to cover all or part of CAT tuition fees.

Over 41 educational establishments were engaged with, and over 98 sessions delivered, engaging 2,508 students, and 38 artists to provide learning opportunities for these young people. CAT Intensives took place with Joss Arnott Dance, 2faced Dance, Southpaw Company and Akram Khan Company. Other engagements were with the Gillian Dickinson Trust commissionees.

DANCE NORTH

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Higher Education

Our Higher Education work in partnership with University of Sunderland is another key area for growth. Despite the challenges facing the HE sector nationally around dance education, we continue to provide a high quality BA (Hons) in Professional Dance, preparing students for a successful career. In summer 2023, 12 students graduated with Honours and two with ordinary degrees. Students worked with a range of artists, including Patrick Ziza and Gillian Dickinson Trust commissionees, Fertile Ground, to create and/or present new work. September 2023 also successfully saw the launch of the newly-revalidated programme, with an updated curriculum.

3. Artist & Workforce Development

Professional class is offered by Dance City: Pro Class, which happens twice weekly, and Pro Aerial Classes, which take place sporadically throughout the year, depending on availability. The Theatre is offered in-kind; Lynn Campbell and Jane Park hold the sessions (no fee or payment exchanged) and share the space with other professional aerialists. For 2024-25, a small fee is being introduced for Pro Class.

We hold one artist breakfast per month as an opportunity to informally and exchange experiences, problems, solutions, ideas, wellbeing and development needs. We have welcomed dance artists, dance companies, producers, apprentice dancers and new regional NPOs.

We have launched new programmes to support career development:

In addition, Farooq Chaudhry of Feng Ling Productions commenced a relationship with Dance City as Associate Producer in September 2023. The activity plan for 23-24 has also been agreed. This will include planning of Producer development programme, artist surgeries and HE lectures.

4. Artform & Audience Development

Following a successful Year One of the Gillian Dickinson Trust commission programme, Dance City received 37 applications for Year Two, concluding with Fertile Ground and Yewande 301 being awarded the commissions of £20k each.

The Creative Summer residency programme look place w/c 31 July – w/c 28 August. Thirty individual artists were supported with a week of in-kind studio space which they financially supported themselves. Each week artists and companies offered a sharing open to Dance City staff and/or the public, attendance ranged from one to 28 across the five weeks.

This year we asked those who had a Creative Summer Residency if they would be interested in presenting the work they developed during their residency at a platform for new work, Dance Edits. Eleven artists/companies expressed interest and Dance Edits Autumn 2023 supported Emma James, Pelican Theatre, Susan Moir, and the Changing Movement Collective, with more presenting work at the Spring 2024 Dance Edits.

DANCE NORTH

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

We have supported artists to have residencies outside of Creative Summer, when studio availability has allowed. Jean Abreu and Naishi Wang had a successful technical residency in the Theatre, 23 Oct – 3 Nov and the development of Deciphers took place in the Theatre with their international collaborators and our technical team resulting in a public sharing on the 2 Nov before it headed to Canada for its premiere at PUSH. Jesse Salaman and Toi Victoria were in residency to explore a new work w/c 22[nd] May and Jennifer Essex was in residency w/c 24[th] April with re-rehearsal of How Long is a Piece of String.

J Neve Harrington presented their full commission work SOME TIMES in the Dance City theatre in September 2023, opening our professional performance season. An artist experienced in making and presenting work in galleries and alternative spaces, it proved interesting for them to work with our Technical Team to present work in the round and allow us to explore and experience the versatility of the space. A final capacity of 50 made for an intimate and supportive audience.

Outside of our Gillian Dickinson Trust there were no further commissions in 2023-24. Our new Senior Fundraising Manager and New Senior Producer are seeking new funding to make for more commissioning opportunities.

Dance City pitched to be one of the venues in Newcastle to host a commission for the Late Shows in May 2024, funded by Creative Central Newcastle and were one of four venues to be chosen, alongside Blackfriars, the Grainger Market and the Common Room.

Dance City has a 240-seat theatre showcasing dance performances from the North East, the UK and across the globe. It provides breadth to the offer for North East audiences, and valuable work for dance companies. The theatre from time to time is available for different kinds of performances and events, but dance will remain the main art form. Highlights include:

Financial review

Policy on reserves

The Trustees have reviewed the charity's needs for reserves in line with the guidance issued by the Charity Commission, having reviewed the risks facing the organisation, seeking to maintain a level of reserves which enables the charity to operate effectively with financial stability and the means to fulfil its charitable purpose. The Trustees aim to hold a level of Unrestricted Reserves which enables the charity to have sufficient working capital to continue to operate and also reflects the risks associated with shortfalls in funding, especially withdrawal of support from existing funders.

If alternative sources of funding were not forthcoming or if there was a shortfall in meeting earned income targets, then this amount would provide the means for Dance City to settle any outstanding contracts, restructure and, in the worst-case scenario, close the company in an orderly manner. We have reviewed these costs in relation to statutory redundancy pay and the liabilities for our building lease. We have calculated these as follows: £200,000 for statutory redundancy and notice costs; £50,000 for the building lease, insurance and services for which we have an annual break clause. If possible, the Trustees then aspire to retain an additional allowance of £50,000 to £75,000 to enable the charity to respond flexibly to issues or appropriate initiatives which might be identified outside of its annual budgeting process.

Therefore, the Trustees anticipate the Unrestricted Reserves needed to fulfil these criteria as £325,000 as a minimum, and the target level of Unrestricted Reserves to be in the range of £325,000 to £400,000. The charity’s total Unrestricted Reserves at 31 March 2024 are £562,016. Free Reserves, defined as non-designated Unrestricted Reserves minus the £246,020 value of Unrestricted Tangible Fixed Assets, are therefore £315,996 and therefore fall just below the target range. The Trustees aim, through their budgeting processes, to restore Free Reserves to within the target range within three years.

DANCE NORTH

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Going concern

The charity's forecasts and projections for the next 12 months show that the charity will be able to continue in operational existence for that period, taking into account reasonable possible changes in trading performance and the potential impact on the charity of possible future scenarios arising from the impact of COVID-19 or other external shock of similar scale. This also considers the effectiveness of available measures to assist in mitigating the impact. The charity has positive cash balances and is forecasting for this to continue to be the case. The trustees have stress-tested their forecasts, taking into account various scenarios, and remain confident that the uncertainties do not cast significant doubt on the company's ability to continue as a going concern.

Reserves policy

The Reserves Policy was last reviewed and approved on 30th October 2024. The Board regularly reviews the level of reserves that are required to ensure that they are adequate to fulfil our continuing obligations and to allow the organisation to fulfil its charitable purpose.

Investment policy

Investment policy and objectives

The charity's funds are controlled by the directors, who also act as trustees, who invest with a view to maximising annual investment income while maintaining capital growth in line with market trends. The attached financial statements show the current state of finances which the trustees consider to be sound. The trustees can invest any sums or investments received by them in investments in which they are by law authorised to invest money, with power from time to time to change for others of a like nature.

Risk management

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records and safeguarding the assets of the charitable company. We have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, in particular those relating to the operations and finances of the charity. We are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate the exposure to the major risks.

Plans for future periods

Societal challenges remain albeit the effects are lessening as we see audiences returning and class numbers increasing. The organisation remains in Arts Council England’s National Portfolio, with funding until March 2027, and the business plan outlines several areas for growth across our four pillars:

Structure, governance and management

Nature of governing document

The company is limited by guarantee and its governing document is its Memorandum and Articles of Association, dated 9th April 1990 and last amended 16 May 2019. The governing body of the company is the board of directors, who also act as trustees for the charitable company, hold no shares in the charitable company, but each member is a guarantor of the charitable company to an amount not exceeding £1 in the event of winding up. New members of the board are elected by the board or by the members of the charitable company in General Meetings.

DANCE NORTH

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:

Ms L R Case (Resigned 21 October 2024) Ms S Dewar Mr M Ross (Appointed 19 December 2023) Ms A Kenrick (Appointed 19 December 2023 and resigned 12 November 2024) Ms C McMurchie Mr D F Haley Ms S Marland Ms P J Fox (Resigned 2 October 2024) Mr A Hope Ms T J Petrides (Resigned 21 October 2024) Ms J Elgie (Resigned 2 October 2024) Mr J A Hails (Resigned 17 June 2024) Mr J Van den Bosch (Resigned 28 September 2023) Ms L Forster (Resigned 1 November 2023) Mrs R Israni (Resigned 14 December 2023) Mr A Robson (Resigned 22 June 2023) Ms J Rycroft (Resigned 8 March 2024) Mr K Tindall (Resigned 1 November 2023)

Arrangements for setting key management personnel remuneration

The board give their time freely and no trustees received remuneration in the year, have considered who the Key Management Personnel (KMP) of the charity, as noted in the reference and administrative details section. Together with the board, these KMP are those in charge of directing and controlling, running and operating the activities of the charity on a day-to-day basis. Pay levels are set using benchmarking together with budget and forecast information, ensuring that the charity can afford any proposed increases. The Finance, Governance and People Committee agree any uplift to remuneration.

DANCE NORTH

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Statement of trustees' responsibilities

The trustees, who are also the directors of Dance North for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company Law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements 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 charitable company for that year.

In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Auditor

In accordance with the company's articles, a resolution proposing that Robson Laidler Accountants Limited be reappointed as auditor of the company will be put at a General Meeting.

Disclosure of information to auditor

Each of the trustees has confirmed that there is no information of which they are aware which is relevant to the audit, but of which the auditor is unaware. They have further confirmed that they have taken appropriate steps to identify such relevant information and to establish that the auditor is aware of such information.

The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.

D F Haley D F Haley (Dec 13, 2024 12:23 GMT)

..............................

Mr D F Haley

Trustee

Date: .............................................13/12/2024

DANCE NORTH

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF DANCE NORTH

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Dance North (the ‘charity’) for the year ended 31 March 2024 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet, the statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion, the financial statements:

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of our audit:

DANCE NORTH

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED) TO THE MEMBERS OF DANCE NORTH

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charity and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the directors' report included within the trustees' report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the statement of trustees' responsibilities, the trustees, who are also the directors of the charity for the purpose of company law, are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.

The risk of material misstatement due to error or fraud has been assessed in conjunction with how internal controls may mitigate any such risk. These controls are reviewed as part of the audit by performing systems walkthroughs to ensure they are operating effectively. Analytical review and substantive testing is also performed on all material balances and therefore any instances of non-compliance should be identified or considered as insignificant. In identifying and assessing risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud, the audit engagement team;

The risk of management override of controls was also considered an area of potential misstatement due to fraud. Audit procedures performed included testing of manual journal entries and other adjustments and evaluating the business rationale in relation to significant, unusual transactions and transactions entered into outside the normal course of business.

DANCE NORTH

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED) TO THE MEMBERS OF DANCE NORTH

A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https:// www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charitable company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Nicholas Cunningham MSc BSc ACCA (Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of Robson Laidler Accountants Limited
Statutory Auditor		 N Cunningham
~~.........................~~
Fernwood House
Fernwood Road
Jesmond
Newcastle upon Tyne
Tyne and Wear
England
NE2 1TJ
N Cunningham (Dec 17, 2024 16:14 GMT)

DANCE NORTH

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Current financial year
Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2024
2024
Notes
£
£
Income and endowments from:
Donations and legacies
3
573,497
75,696
Charitable activities
4
529,949
427,570
Investments
5
24,020
-
Other income
4,794
-
Total income
1,132,260
503,266
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
6
13,309
-
Charitable activities
7
1,270,748
503,266
Total expenditure
1,284,057
503,266
Net movement in funds
9
(151,797)
-
Reconciliation of funds:
Fund balances at 1 April 2023
713,813
-
Fund balances at 31 March 2024
562,016
-		 Total
2024
£
649,193
957,519
24,020
4,794
1,635,526
13,309
1,774,014
1,787,323
(151,797)
713,813
562,016		 Total
2023
£
705,163
984,026
-
34,232
1,723,421
11,115
1,841,570
1,852,685
(129,264)
843,077
713,813

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

DANCE NORTH

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (CONTINUED) INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Prior financial year
Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2023
2023
Notes
£
£
Income and endowments from:
Donations and legacies
3
568,596
136,567
Charitable activities
4
555,718
428,308
Other income
34,232
-
Total income
1,158,546
564,875
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
6
11,115
-
Charitable activities
7
1,291,695
549,875
Total expenditure
1,302,810
549,875
Net income/(expenditure)
(144,264)
15,000
Transfers between funds
15,000
(15,000)
Net movement in funds
9
(129,264)
-
Reconciliation of funds:
Fund balances at 1 April 2022
843,077
-
Fund balances at 31 March 2023
713,813
-		 Total
2023
£
705,163
984,026
34,232
1,723,421
11,115
1,841,570
1,852,685
(129,264)
-
(129,264)
843,077
713,813

DANCE NORTH

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 MARCH 2024

2024 2023
Notes £ £ £ £
Fixed assets
Tangible assets 13 246,020 299,689
Investments 14 380,000 380,000
626,020 679,689
Current assets
Stocks 15 2,818 -
Debtors 16 127,786 97,806
Cash at bank and in hand 186,947 341,699
317,551 439,505
Creditors: amounts falling due within 17
one year (192,975) (193,295)
Net current assets 124,576 246,210
Total assets less current liabilities 750,596 925,899
Creditors: amounts falling due after
more than one year 18 (188,580) (212,086)
Net assets 562,016 713,813
The funds of the charity
Unrestricted funds 562,016 713,813
562,016 713,813

The financial statements were approved by the trustees on .........................13/12/2024

D F Haley

.............................. D F Haley (Dec 13, 2024 12:23 GMT) Mr D F Haley

Trustee

Company registration number 02490618 (England and Wales)

DANCE NORTH

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Notes
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash absorbed by operations
24
Investing activities
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
Investment income received
Net cash generated from/(used in)
investing activities
Financing activities
Repayment of debentures
Net cash used in financing activities
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year		 2024
£
£
(144,216)
(10,814)
24,020
13,206
(23,742)
(23,742)
(154,752)
341,699
186,947		 2023
£
(29,457)
-
(21,240)		 £
(36,743)
(29,457)
(21,240)
(87,440)
429,139
341,699

DANCE NORTH

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

1 Accounting policies

Charity information

Dance North is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Dance City, Temple Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4BR.

1.1 Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the Charities SORP "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to 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). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, modified to include the revaluation of investment properties. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

1.2 Going concern

At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements. The trustees have satisfied themselves that the organisation is a going concern at time of writing. This is based on the financial year 24/25 management accounts at quarter two, an assessment of income and expenditure by Dance City's contracted independent management accountant, and a comprehensive review of projections of income and expenditure and cashflow to March 2027 by the Finance, Governance and People Committee.

1.3 Charitable funds

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.

Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Endowment funds are subject to specific conditions by donors that the capital must be maintained by the charity.

1.4 Income

Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.

Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.

Legacies are recognised on receipt or otherwise if the charity has been notified of an impending distribution, the amount is known, and receipt is expected. If the amount is not known, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset.

DANCE NORTH

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

Income from contracts for the supply of services is recognised with the delivery of the contracted service.

Grants are recognised when the charity has an entitlement to the funds and any conditions linked to the grants have been met. Where performance conditions are attached to the grant and are yet to be met, the income is recognised as a liability and included on the balance sheet as deferred income.

1.5 Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.

Costs of raising funds are those incurred in attracting voluntary income, the management of investments and those incurred in trading activities that raise funds.

Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature to support them.

1.6 Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:

Leasehold land and buildings Straight line over 19 years Fixtures and fittings 15% - 20% reducing balance Computers 25% straight line

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.

1.7 Fixed asset investments

Fixed asset investments are initially measured at transaction price excluding transaction costs, and are subsequently measured at fair value at each reporting date. Changes in fair value are recognised in net income/(expenditure) for the year. Transaction costs are expensed as incurred.

1.8 Impairment of fixed assets

At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).

DANCE NORTH

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

1.9 Stocks

Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell. Cost comprises direct materials and, where applicable, direct labour costs and those overheads that have been incurred in bringing the stocks to their present location and condition. Items held for distribution at no or nominal consideration are measured the lower of replacement cost and cost.

1.10 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

1.11 Taxation

The charities activities fall within the exemptions afforded by the provisions of The Corporation Taxes Act 2010. Accordingly, there is no taxation charge in these accounts.

1.12 Employee benefits

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

1.13 Retirement benefits

Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.

2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements

In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

3 Income from donations and legacies

Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2024
2024
£
£
Donations and gifts
9,449
8,244
Grants from other
charities
564,048
67,452
573,497
75,696		 Total
Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2024
2023
2023
£
£
£
17,693
4,548
-
631,500
564,048
136,567
649,193
568,596
136,567		 Total
2023
£
4,548
700,615
705,163

DANCE NORTH

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

3
Income from donations and legacies
Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2024
2024
£
£
Grants receivable for core activities
Arts Council England
564,048
22,000
Community Foundation
-
-
Esmee Fairbairn
-
-
Kickstart Scheme
-
-
Music & Dance Scheme
-
-
Gillian Dickinson Trust
-
42,500
Other
-
2,952
564,048
67,452
4
Income from charitable activities
Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2024
2024
£
£
Core charitable activities
Classes, workshops &
degrees
440,566
-
Room hire
2,799
-
Box office
23,175
-
Training programme
-
427,570
Cafe income
22,566
-
Rental income
40,843
-
529,949
427,570		 Total
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
funds
funds
2024
2023
2023
2023
£
£
£
£
(Continued)
586,048
564,048
-
564,048
-
-
14,800
14,800
-
-
55,000
55,000
-
-
30,147
30,147
-
-
13,146
13,146
42,500
-
17,500
17,500
2,952
-
5,974
5,974
631,500
564,048
136,567
700,615
Total
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
funds
funds
2024
2023
2023
2023
£
£
£
£
440,566
450,101
-
450,101
2,799
3,476
-
3,476
23,175
36,946
-
36,946
427,570
-
428,308
428,308
22,566
4,080
-
4,080
40,843
61,115
-
61,115
957,519
555,718
428,308
984,026		 Total
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
funds
funds
2024
2023
2023
2023
£
£
£
£
(Continued)
586,048
564,048
-
564,048
-
-
14,800
14,800
-
-
55,000
55,000
-
-
30,147
30,147
-
-
13,146
13,146
42,500
-
17,500
17,500
2,952
-
5,974
5,974
631,500
564,048
136,567
700,615
Total
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
funds
funds
2024
2023
2023
2023
£
£
£
£
440,566
450,101
-
450,101
2,799
3,476
-
3,476
23,175
36,946
-
36,946
427,570
-
428,308
428,308
22,566
4,080
-
4,080
40,843
61,115
-
61,115
957,519
555,718
428,308
984,026
700,615
Total
2023
£
450,101
3,476
36,946
428,308
4,080
61,115
984,026

5 Income from investments

Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds funds
2024 2023
£ £
Rental income 21,879 -
Interest receivable 2,141 -
24,020 -

DANCE NORTH

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

6 Expenditure on raising funds

Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds funds
2024 2023
£ £
Fundraising and publicity
Other fundraising costs 13,309 11,115
7 Expenditure on charitable activities
Classes and Classes and
workshops workshops
2024 2023
£ £
Direct costs
Staff costs 693,198 662,173
Other staff costs 4,079 27,626
Artist and performance fees 197,397 227,175
Travel 15,184 16,636
Technician and production fees 41,855 38,257
Student travel 8,934 11,090
Bad debts 7,645 13,087
Advertising and marketing 40,727 48,369
Property running costs 15,410 26,826
Other direct costs 497 3,610
1,024,926 1,074,849
Share of support and governance costs (see note 8)
Support 729,168 755,074
Governance 19,920 11,647
1,774,014 1,841,570
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds 1,270,748 1,291,695
Restricted funds 503,266 549,875
1,774,014 1,841,570

DANCE NORTH

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

8 Support costs allocated to activities

Staff costs
Depreciation
Premises costs
Motor, travel and accomodation
General office costs
Technical costs and venue hire
Communications and IT
Finance costs
Legal and professional fees
Governance costs
Analysed between:
Classes and workshops
Governance costs comprise:
Auditor's remuneration
Accountancy fees
9
Net movement in funds
The net movement in funds is stated after charging/(crediting):
Fees payable to the charity's auditor:
- for the audit of the charity's financial statements
- for other financial services
Depreciation of owned tangible fixed assets
Loss on disposal of tangible fixed assets		 2024
£
300,000
64,482
165,735
1,133
114,655
5,487
26,318
8,605
42,753
19,920
749,088
749,088
2024
£
12,000
7,920
19,920
2024
£
9,900
2,100
63,397
1,085		 2023
£
296,779
60,452
241,142
211
92,045
5,136
26,209
6,690
26,410
11,647
766,721
766,721
2023
£
9,500
2,147
11,647
2023
£
9,500
2,147
60,452
-

10 Trustees

None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year.

DANCE NORTH

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

11 Employees

The average monthly number of employees during the year was:

Administration and finance staff
Artistic staff
Total
Employment costs
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Other pension costs
The number of employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000
is as follows:
£60,001 to £70,000
£70,001 £80,000
Remuneration of key management personnel
The remuneration of key management personnel was as follows:
Aggregate compensation		 2024
Number
40
28
68
2024
£
924,866
52,886
15,446
993,198
2024
Number
1
1
2024
£
189,320		 2023
Number
39
28
67
2023
£
888,680
56,756
13,516
958,952
2023
Number
-
-
2023
£
190,120

12 Taxation

The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.

DANCE NORTH

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

13 Tangible fixed assets

Leasehold
land and
buildings
Fixtures and
fittings
Computers
£
£
£
Cost
At 1 April 2023
300,000
475,862
153,873
Additions
-
10,814
-
Disposals
-
(2,752)
(3,030)
At 31 March 2024
300,000
483,924
150,843
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 April 2023
205,263
311,462
113,321
Depreciation charged in the year
15,790
28,396
19,211
Eliminated in respect of disposals
-
(1,666)
(3,030)
At 31 March 2024
221,053
338,192
129,502
Carrying amount
At 31 March 2024
78,947
145,732
21,341
At 31 March 2023
94,737
164,400
40,552		 Total
£
929,735
10,814
(5,782)
934,767
630,046
63,397
(4,696)
688,747
246,020
299,689

14 Fixed asset investments

Investment
property
£
Cost or valuation
At 1 April 2023 & 31 March 2024 380,000
Carrying amount
At 31 March 2024 380,000
At 31 March 2023 380,000

15 Stocks

Raw materials and consumables
Finished goods and goods for resale		 2024
£
498
2,320
2,818		 2023
£
-
-
-

DANCE NORTH

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

16 Debtors

Amounts falling due within one year:
Trade debtors
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
17
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Notes
Borrowings
Other taxation and social security
Deferred income
Trade creditors
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income
18
Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year
Borrowings
19
Loans and overdrafts
Debenture loans
Payable within one year
Payable after one year
Amounts included above which fall due after five years:
Payable by instalments		 2024
£
34,550
2,244
90,992
127,786
2024
£
22,334
4,979
63,120
67,117
11,998
23,427
192,975
2024
£
188,580
2024
£
210,914
22,334
188,580
84,396		 2023
£
44,698
2,593
50,515
97,806
2023
£
22,570
16,150
80,908
51,983
9,109
12,575
193,295
2023
£
212,086
2023
£
234,656
22,570
212,086
106,730

Borrowings includes a loan from Northstar Ventures Limited originally for £265,000 with a nominal interest rate of 6%, and the final instalment is due on 1 June 2031. The carrying amount at the year end is £210,914 (2023: £234,656).

DANCE NORTH

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

20 Retirement benefit schemes
2024 2023
Defined contribution schemes £ £
Charge to profit or loss in respect of defined contribution schemes 15,446 13,516

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund.

Contributions totalling £3,741 (2023: £3,127) were payable to the scheme at the end of the year and are included in creditors.

21 Restricted funds

The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.

At 1 April Incoming Resources Transfers At 31 March
2023 resources expended 2024
£ £ £ £ £
Gillian Dickinson Trust - 42,500 (42,500) - -
Volunteer Futures - 22,000 (22,000) - -
Wellbeing Hub - 250 (250) - -
Fabric - 2,702 (2,702) - -
Centre for Advanced Training - 427,570 (427,570) - -
Donors - 8,244 (8,244) - -
- 503,266 (503,266) - -
Previous year: At 1 April Incoming Resources Transfers At 31 March
2022 resources expended 2023
£ £ £ £ £
Esmee Fairbairn - 55,000 (55,000) - -
Centre for Advanced Training - 428,308 (428,308) - -
Community Foundation - 14,800 (14,800) - -
Kickstart - 30,147 (30,147) - -
Donors - 4,120 (4,120) - -
Gillian Dickinson Trust - 17,500 (17,500) - -
Newcastle City Council - 15,000 - (15,000) -
- 564,875 (549,875) (15,000) -

DANCE NORTH

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

22 Unrestricted funds

The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.

General funds
Previous year:
General funds		 At 1 April
2023
Incoming
resources
Resources
expended
£
£
£
713,813
1,132,260
(1,284,057)
At 1 April
2022
Incoming
resources
Resources
expended
£
£
£
843,077
1,158,546
(1,302,810)		 Transfers
At 31 March
2024
£
£
-
562,016
Transfers
At 31 March
2023
£
£
15,000
713,813

23 Related party transactions

There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2023 - none).

24 Cash generated from operations

Cash generated from operations
Deficit for the year
Adjustments for:
Investment income recognised in statement of financial activities
Loss on disposal of tangible fixed assets
Depreciation and impairment of tangible fixed assets
Movements in working capital:
(Increase) in stocks
(Increase)/decrease in debtors
Increase/(decrease) in creditors
(Decrease) in deferred income
Cash absorbed by operations		 2024
£
(151,797)
(24,020)
1,086
63,397
(2,818)
(29,980)
17,704
(17,788)
(144,216)		 2023
£
(129,264)
-
-
60,452
-
239,529
(25,730)
(181,730)
(36,743)

DANCE NORTH

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

25 Analysis of changes in net debt
At 1 April 2023 Cash flowsAt 31 March 2024
£ £ £
Cash at bank and in hand 341,699 (154,752) 186,947
Loans falling due within one year (22,570) 236 (22,334)
Loans falling due after more than one year (212,086) 23,506 (188,580)
107,043 (131,010) (23,967)

Dance North final accounts

Final Audit Report

2024-12-17

Created: 2024-12-13 By: Catherine Johns (catherine.johns@dancecity.co.uk) Status: Signed Transaction ID: CBJCHBCAABAAVIJVAWWphKMrSEQDxtsHgnEAgDze_-Py

"Dance North final accounts" History

2024-12-13 - 12:07:43 GMT

2024-12-13 - 12:07:47 GMT

2024-12-13 - 12:21:02 GMT

Document emailed to ncunningham@robson-laidler.co.uk for signature 2024-12-13 - 12:23:21 GMT

2024-12-17 - 16:14:55 GMT