OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

2023-03-31-accounts

Company no. 02157661 Charity no. 800174

acta Community Theatre Ltd Report and Unaudited Financial Statements

31 March 2023

acta Community Theatre Ltd

Reference and administrative details

For the year ended 31 March 2023

Company number 02157661
Charity number 800174
Registered office actacentre
and operational Gladstone Street
address Bedminster
Bristol
BS3 3AY
Trustees Trustees, who are also directors under company law, who served during the
year and up to the date of this report were as follows:
Jeanette Bain-Burnett (Chair, appointed 9 June 2023)
Alex Bishop
Stephanie Brammar (Resigned 26 September 2022)
Ruth Cochrane
John Davidson
Barbara Dettering (resigned 9 June 2023)
Kathryn Hopkins
Maria Nilsson (Treasurer)
Kerrie Schaefer
Key management Oliver Jones (Director)
personnel Bertel Martin (Finance and Operations Manager)
Bankers CAF Bank
25 Kings Hill Avenue
Kings Hill
West Malling
Kent
ME19 4JQ
Independent Godfrey Wilson Limited
examiners Chartered accountants and statutory auditors
5th Floor Mariner House
62 Prince Street
Bristol
BS1 4QD

1

acta Community Theatre Ltd

Chair's report

For the year ended 31 March 2023

I’m proud to introduce my first trustees’ report as Chair of acta theatre. From our home in Bedminster, acta has developed a powerful track record, across Bristol and beyond, working with groups who might not otherwise have access to the joy of participating in theatre. It’s been moving this year to see the ongoing impact of acta’s work on a wide range of groups and communities. The organisation created dozens of platforms for creative expression and personal development through our brilliant staff, creative associates and volunteers.

Our volunteers were recognised through the historic final round of Queen’s Awards for Voluntary Service, presented to us by the Lord Lieutenant, Peaches Golding MBE. This was a meaningful moment of reflection and celebration, which summed up the spirit of acta.

I’d like to offer my sincere thanks to the leadership, staff team and wider circle of participants and volunteers who bring acta’s work to life, as we look forward to another challenging and exciting year removing barriers to creative expression.

This year has seen further change in the organisation, especially in terms of governance with the appointment of a new Chair, Jeanette Bain-Burnett. Interim Chair, Stef Brammar, stepped down from the board at the end of 2022, having served the organisation through the transition to new leadership.

The organisation is feeling the benefit of having a stable and future facing leadership and delivery team with both our Director, Oliver Jones, and Finance and Operations Manager Bertel Martin completing their first two and one years with the company respectively. This year we’re also celebrating thirty years since Ingrid Jones, our Associate Director, first started working for the organisation. Ingrid continues to lead many of our projects, directing several shows in our theatre every year.

Creatively, we have had an incredibly fruitful year running regular groups; impactful, bespoke projects; and CPD initiatives both online and in person.

We continued to deliver four youth theatre groups in Lockleaze through funding from Children in Need, as well as continuing to support up to 15 young people aged 16 to 25 years in our Phoenix group. We were also successful in a bid to Bristol City Council to deliver a youth theatre show with young people in Bedminster in Summer 2023. Additionally, our associate Hiba delivered a number of youth projects including a Sudanese Youth Theatre for young people aged 7 to 14 years who created their own devised performances including traditional Sudanese songs, Zola Tales, a theatre group who created a performance about Melket Aldar Abdallah, and a Mothers and Daughters story creation and podcast project. We also delivered Fen for Fun with Hiba, a creative holiday intensive for ages 7 to 14 including break dance, puppetry, drumming and visual art. Our young people’s work was complemented by Lockleaze Little Legends, a project delivered by our associate Jody Cook, working with pre-school children and their families, with a focus on developing social skills, friendships and new creative skills.

Our Associates continued to receive vital support from core staff to lead projects for, by and with their communities, especially in fundraising. We also continued our international seminar series, our new CPD initiative, Elevate, and our Cornerstone Group. All of this was made possible by three years of generous support from the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, which came to an end in 2022 to 2023.

2

acta Community Theatre Ltd

Chair's report

For the year ended 31 March 2023

This year, Cornerstone worked with participants who have both physical and mental health challenges, and migrants from countries such as Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and Palestine. The production that the group created this year, ‘Coming Home’, was very well received by the audience and explored the nature of home and identity set in a dying world. As with all acta shows, the participants themselves came up with the subject matter and story, and it was fascinating to see that their focus was on the environmental crisis. Our further adult work included acta Company creating a moving and brave performance, Dying Matters, around themes of bereavement, and our day time adult group, Pick N Mix, who created a performance called Fixing Things, set in a repair shop and celebrating British comic traditions.

As well as our young people’s work, Silent Heroine’s Disco has been the main focus of Jody’s work this year and our support to her. The production was first performed last year in a venue within Lockleaze. This year, her ambition was to creatively progress the production, and to take it on a short tour. Acta supported Jody to apply to Arts Council England for funding which was successful, and then to co-facilitate and direct the production and associated workshops. The production toured to acta itself as well as other venues in Bristol and Weston-super-Mare. The performances were accompanied by workshops exploring the themes of the show, run by Jody and other freelance artists.

Our seminar series continued to be well attended with excellent feedback from participating artists. We delivered three seminars this year, informed by suggestions from previous attendees of the seminar programme and acta’s current practice. These included ‘Scaling Up’, ‘Working Inclusively’, and ‘Story to Script’.

We piloted a new CPD programme, Elevate, where we recruited a cohort of 10 community theatre artists from a diverse array of backgrounds, and also opened up each session to other artists, many of whom attended most of the sessions. The programme received excellent feedback and will evolve in the future.

This year we have also initiated a new two year programme for people aged 15 to 25 who identify as a woman or as a girl and face barriers to being involved in theatre. The programme is free to attend, and requires no previous experience. The scheme offers workshops including acting, movement, puppetry, directing, script writing, set design, lighting and sound design, stage management, and costume design, led by experienced industry professionals. There are also mentoring sessions with a theatre professional, outings to the theatre, and the opportunity to complete a Silver Arts Award.

Alongside this breadth of work, we also raised funds from WECA to create and deliver a brand new project, Pathway, working with marginalised people in our community using creative activities to support them in their journey to further skills, volunteering and employment opportunities. Many of these participants, and those from our regular groups, also attended our new Creative Wellbeing Café weekly, to enjoy free creative activity and a safe, warm and welcoming space.

Jeanette Bain Burnett Chair, acta Council of Management

3

acta Community Theatre Ltd

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2023

The trustees, who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, submit their annual report and the unaudited financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023.

Reference and administrative information set out on page 1 forms part of this report. The financial statements comply with current statutory requirements, the Memorandum and Articles of Association and the Statement of Recommended Practice - Accounting and Reporting by Charities (effective from January 2019).

As a charity registered in England and Wales, the charitable company also reports in accordance with the Charity Commission for England and Wales’ guidance on public benefit and the Charities Act 2011.

Structure, governance and management

The Charity is a charitable company limited by guarantee. It is governed by Memorandum and Articles of Association (September 1987), which provide details of the Council of Management and procedures for the Annual General Meeting, at which at least one third of trustees, those who have been longest in office, will be subject to retirement or rotation. The Memorandum of Association established the objects and powers of the charitable company, which is governed under its Articles of Association. The Council of Management act as both directors of the company and trustees of the charity, and give their time voluntarily and receive no financial benefits. The Council of Management meets twice monthly, and meetings are also attended by the Director and Finance and Operations Manager who work with the Chair and subcommittees to set the agenda. Trustees are also expected to serve on at least one of four subcommittees, which are currently responsible for Ambition & Quality, Environment, Finance, and Inclusivity & Relevance. Each subcommittee appoints a representative to report back on actions and proposals to be signed off by the full Council of Management.

The company accounts are reviewed by the trustees on a quarterly basis to ensure annual targets will be met, with the Treasurer attending twice monthly finance subcommittee meetings with the Director and Finance and Operations Manager prior to reporting back to the full Council of Management.

Employees are consulted on issues of concern to them through weekly company meetings and have been kept informed on specific matters directly by the Director and Finance and Operations Manager, in addition to regular supervision meetings. There is regular communication between management members and employees, both through the Director and Finance and Operations Manager, the Artistic Directorate and staff reports to the Council of Management.

The Director liaises with the trustees on the annual job review process for each employee.

The charity has implemented a number of detailed policies in relation to all aspects of personnel matters including Equality, Diversity & Inclusion, Health & Safety and Volunteers.

Full details of the business plan and policies are available from the actacentre.

Public benefit

All of acta's work exists for the benefit of the public, to bring about positive change for individuals and the community through promoting active, creative participation in theatre.

acta exists to support vulnerable people and marginalised communities; for those who may have low confidence and self worth; live in isolation, or suffer poor mental and physical health.

4

acta Community Theatre Ltd

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2023

acta's tried and tested method, which uses a combination of sharing stories and experiences, developing imaginations and creativity, devising and performing theatre, has been proven to:

acta creates high quality and relevant community theatre, whilst also making happier, healthier and more connected people.

Core values are:

Participation acta exists to provide access to participation in the arts for the most vulnerable and excluded sections of society; Ownership acta is committed to co-creation of all artistic product, with participants and professional facilitators sharing equal status; Excellence Excellence in facilitation, in performance process, in co-production and in the product; Inclusiveness acta is committed to providing equal opportunities to people without privilege, engaging marginalised people and promoting intercultural and intergenerational dialogue through theatre; Partnership acta is committed to proactively developing collaborations and partnerships within arts and wider sectors at local, national and international levels; and Valuing people acta is a caring organisation that listens to and supports vulnerable people, valuing their stories, cultural heritage and life experiences and enabling them to share these assets through making new theatre.

The Company has delivered 392 workshops (12% online and 88% in person) with 248 people of all ages (two thirds with children and young adults up to 25 years.)

This programme has enabled the production of 7 original new shows, acta staff also supported acta associates Jody Cook to produce Silent Heroines Disco, and Hiba Abdulaziz to organise Sudafest- a cultural Sudanese festival, Sudanese Youth Theatre and Sufia- a Sudanese girls story telling group.

We were also fortunate to receive funding to launch a new initiative, the Wellbeing Café. The aim of the café is to reduce isolation and offer arts activity to help improve people’s wellbeing. With huge support from our volunteering team, one day a week we provide a space where people can have a coffee and cake, meet friends or have a chat with volunteers, and a drop in arts activity that people can do on their own or with friends.

With funding provided by WECA, we piloted Pathway. This was a programme that enabled participants to explore their future aspirations through creative play. The WECA fund also allowed us to pilot a new approach to support professional development in our Elevate project. Elevate saw 40 creative practitioners develop their creative and business skills in the programme.

5

acta Community Theatre Ltd

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2023

Our professional development programme got an extra boost with funding from Ragdoll that allowed us to offer free theatre skills training to young girls aged 16 to 25. Forge started in September and is a 2 year development programme for young girls that will allow them to complete an Arts Award.

The company continuously reviews its aims and objectives to ensure that activities are developed in accordance with stated charitable purposes. Trustees have referred to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit to review acta's aims and objectives and in planning future activities.

Aims and objectives

The Memorandum and Articles of Association describe our objects as follows:

Purpose – strategic aims

acta believes that theatre is for everyone, and exists to promote opportunities to access theatre and the related arts.

The Company works to a diversity action plan with the following strategic aims:

Achievements and performance – a review of activities

Despite a challenging year, acta has delivered a significant artistic and activity programme, and started to explore new areas and opportunities to put the skills of the staff and the resources of the organisation to the benefit of the communities it serves.

Key programme activities

Connecting People

Acta’s workshops are almost all in person, with the exception of some of the Young Carers sessions. This has helped people reconnect and introduced new people to our workshops.

The Wellbeing Café has been a good addition to providing another approach for people to connect with friends and introduce new people to the acta’s community.

6

acta Community Theatre Ltd

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2023

Cornerstone

The third year of the three year Cornerstone programme, supported by Paul Hamlyn Fund (PHF), enabled acta staff to support acta associates to develop projects and apply for funding to bring them to reality, it also supported a short outreach programme to engage with refugees and supported them to take part in regular acta workshops.

We supported Jody Cook to develop a production of Silent Heroines Disco at a new venue in Lockleaze, and worked with Hiba Elhindi to apply for funding for her work with Sudanese young people and families.

The PHF investment also supports the Company’s sector development initiatives, which include the seminar series, digital resources and community theatre facilitator training. The seminar series is still online and we delivered three seminars through the year, with a national and international focus.

Youth theatre

The Lockleaze Kids group workshops, supported by BBC Children in Need, continue to meet in person and had an active programme leading to a production planned for May 2023, performed at the acta centre.

International

This year has been one of consolidation and adapting to the new working culture. This has meant that international work dropped down the priority list but is still in acta’s plans.

Financial and reserves review

The company managed to add to its programme of workshops, projects and activities, but a standstill of funding from ACE and Bristol City Council alongside increases in utility prices and increases in overheads means we will see a drop in our unrestricted, general reserves down to £93,697.

The trustees continuously review their policy on free reserves, consulting Charity Commission guidance. acta has established a policy whereby the unrestricted funds not committed to, or invested in tangible fixed assets held by the charity (general funds), should be three months’ normal operating costs, circa £100,000, although trustees recognise that this is challenging to meet in the current climate.

Although the charity’s reserves currently fall slightly short, the charity will work towards meeting its reserves target, and are exploring new sources of funding and opportunities for income generation that tie in with acta’s vision and values. The trustees therefore consider that the charity will continue as a going concern for a period of at least 12 months from the date on which these financial statements are approved.

Risk management

The trustees work closely with the Director And Finance and Operations Manager to manage risks associated with the management of the Company.

The company continues to invest in fundraising, and to diversify its funding sources and activities, to hedge against the potential loss of income. The company benefits from a clear fundraising strategy, and has secured funding from Arts Council England until 2026 and Bristol City Council Culture until 2024.

7

acta Community Theatre Ltd

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2023

Internal risks are minimised by the implementation of procedures for authorisation of all transactions and projects, to ensure consistent quality of delivery for all operational aspects of the charitable company. These procedures are periodically reviewed to ensure that they still meet the needs of the charity.

Statement of responsibilities of the trustees

The trustees (who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with 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).

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 income and expenditure of the charity for that period. In preparing those financial statements the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and which enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. The trustees 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.

The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Members of the charity guarantee to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 to the assets of the charity in the event of winding up. The trustees are members of the charity but this entitles them only to voting rights. The trustees have no beneficial interest in the charity.

Independent examiners

Godfrey Wilson Limited were re-appointed as independent examiners to the charitable company during the year and have expressed their willingness to continue in that capacity.

Approved by the trustees on 12 September 2023 and signed on their behalf by

Jeanette Bain-Burnett Chair, acta Council of Management

8

Independent examiner's report

To the trustees of

acta Community Theatre Ltd

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of acta Community Theatre Ltd (the charitable company) for the year ended 31 March 2023, which are set out on pages 10 to 26.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the charitable company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act’).

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the charitable company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the charitable company's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

Since the charitable company’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), which is one of the listed bodies.

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:

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.

William Guy Blake

Date: 13 September 2023 William Guy Blake ACA Member of the ICAEW

For and on behalf of: Godfrey Wilson Limited

Chartered accountants and statutory auditors 5th Floor Mariner House 62 Prince Street Bristol BS1 4QD

9

acta Community Theatre Ltd

Statement of financial activities

For the year ended 31 March 2023

Note
Income from:
Donations and legacies
3
Charitable activities
4
Other trading activities
5
Investments
Total income
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
Charitable activities
Total expenditure
6
Net income / (expenditure)
Transfers between funds
Net movement in funds
7
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward		 Restricted Unrestricted
£
£
-
113,786
165,983
21,443
-
15,468
-
1,071
165,983
151,768
-
85,877
198,137
69,394
198,137
155,271
(32,154)
(3,503)
6,377
(6,377)
(25,777)
(9,880)
122,553
127,748
96,776
117,868		 2023
Total
£
113,786
187,426
15,468
1,071
317,751
85,877
267,531
353,408
(35,657)
-
(35,657)
250,301
214,644		 2022
Total
£
135,214
316,337
2,545
27
454,123
69,902
291,788
361,690
92,433
-
92,433
157,868
250,301

All of the above results are derived from continuing activities. There were no other recognised gains or losses other than those stated above. Movements in funds are disclosed in Note 14 to the accounts.

10

acta Community Theatre Ltd

Balance sheet

As at 31 March 2023

Note
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
10
Current assets
Debtors
11
Cash at bank and in hand
Liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due within 1 year
12
Net current assets
Net assets
13
Funds
14
Restricted funds
Unrestricted funds
Designated funds
General funds
Total charity funds		 £
35,978
182,056
218,034
(12,561)		 2023
£
9,171
205,473
214,644
96,776
24,171
93,697
214,644		 2022
£
12,229
24,802
229,402
254,204
(16,132)
238,072
250,301
122,553
27,229
100,519
250,301

The directors are satisfied that the company is entitled to exemption from the provisions of the Companies Act 2006 (the Act) relating to the audit of the financial statements for the year by virtue of section 477(2), and that no member or members have requested an audit pursuant to section 476 of the Act.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for:

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies' regime.

Approved by the trustees on 12 September 2023 and signed on their behalf by

Jeanette Bain-Burnett Chair, acta Council of Management

11

acta Community Theatre Ltd

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2023

1. Accounting policies

a) Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities in preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

acta Community Theatre Ltd meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note.

b) Going concern basis of accounting

The accounts have been prepared on the assumption that the charity is able to continue as a going concern. The charity holds unrestricted, general reserves of £93,697, and a cash balance of £182,056. The trustees therefore consider that the charity has sufficient cash reserves to continue as a going concern for a period of at least 12 months from the date on which these financial statements are approved.

c) Income

Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the item of income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Income from the government and other grants, whether 'capital' grants or 'revenue' grants, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.

d) Interest receivable

e) Funds accounting

Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of the charity. Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the charity which the trustees have decided at their discretion to set aside to use for a specific purpose. Restricted funds are donations which the donor has specified are to be solely used for particular areas of the charity's work or for specific projects being undertaken by the charity.

f) Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT

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

Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.

12

acta Community Theatre Ltd

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2023

1. Accounting policies (continued)

g) Allocation of support and governance costs

ities on the following basis:
2023 2022
Raising funds 30% 24%
Charitable activities 70% 76%

h) Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write down the cost of each asset to its estimated residual value over its expected useful life. The depreciation rates in use are as follows:

Stage equipment 25% reducing balance Office fittings and equipment 25% reducing balance

Items of equipment are capitalised where the purchase price exceeds £500.

i) Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

j) Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

k) Creditors

Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

l) Financial instruments

The charitable company only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently recognised at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

m) Pension costs

The company operates a defined contribution pension scheme for its employees. There are no further liabilities other than that already recognised in the SOFA.

13

acta Community Theatre Ltd

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2023

1. Accounting policies (continued)

n) Accounting estimates and key judgements

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 if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods.

The key sources of estimation uncertainty that have a significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements are described below.

Depreciation

As described in note 1h to the financial statements, depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write down the cost of each asset to its estimated residual value over its expected useful life.

2. Prior period comparatives: statement of financial activities

Income from:
Donations and legacies
Charitable activities
Other trading activities
Investments
Total income
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
Charitable activities
Total expenditure
Net income
Transfers between funds
Net movement in funds		 Restricted
£
-
294,107
-
-
294,107
-
232,443
232,443
61,664
16,938
78,602		 £
135,214
22,230
2,545
27
160,016
69,902
59,345
129,247
30,769
(16,938)
13,831
Unrestricted		 2022
Total
£
135,214
316,337
2,545
27
454,123
69,902
291,788
361,690
92,433
-
92,433

14

acta Community Theatre Ltd

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2023

3.
Income from donations and legacies
Core funding:
Arts Council England NPO Funding
Bristol City Council Key Arts Provider
Singer Foundation
Thresholds Ltd
The 29th May 1961 Charity
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme grant
Donations
Total income from donations		 Restricted
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 £
81,472
20,400
-
-
-
-
11,914
113,786
Unrestricted		 2023
Total
£
81,472
20,400
-
-
-
-
11,914
113,786		 2022
Total
£
81,472
20,400
11,987
10,000
5,000
610
5,745
135,214

All income from donations and legacies in the prior year was unrestricted.

4. Income from charitable activities

Grants > £5,000
BBC Children in Need: Lockleaze Kids
St Monica Trust: Making time
Nisbet Charitable Trust
WECA: Core
The long group
Well being café
Ragdoll: Forge
Nisbet Charitable Trust: Phoenix
Quartet: Young carers
Quartet: Thriving theatre
WECA:Elevate
Other grants < £5,000
Total grants
Box office and ticket sales
Fee income
Total income from charitable activities		 Restricted
£
36,498
19,836
17,329
13,000
12,114
11,760
11,000
10,000
7,000
5,000
17,709
4,737
165,983
-
-
165,983
 £
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
3,735
17,708
21,443
Unrestricted		 2023
Total
£
36,498
19,836
17,329
13,000
12,114
11,760
11,000
10,000
7,000
5,000
17,709
4,737
165,983
3,735
17,708
187,426

15

acta Community Theatre Ltd

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2023

4.
Income from charitable activities (continued)
Prior period comparative
Grants > £5,000
Paul Hamlyn Foundation
BBC Children in Need
EU Creative Europe: RAPPORT
St Monica Trust
People's Postcode Lottery
Nisbet Charitable Trust
National Lottery
West of England Combined Authority
Other grants < £5,000
Total grants
Box office and ticket sales
Fee income
Total income from charitable activities		 Restricted
£
180,000
21,459
20,000
19,836
10,890
10,000
9,995
9,982
11,945
294,107
-
-
294,107
 £
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
3,961
18,269
22,230
Unrestricted		 2022
Total
£
180,000
21,459
20,000
19,836
10,890
10,000
9,995
9,982
11,945
294,107
3,961
18,269
316,337

5. Income from other trading activities

Premises hire
Theatre bar sales
Café sales
Total income from other trading
activities		 Restricted
Unrestricted
£
£
-
12,840
-
1,402
-
1,226
-
15,468		 2023
Total
£
12,840
1,402
1,226
15,468		 2022
Total
£
1,354
1,184
7
2,545

All income from other trading activities in the prior year was unrestricted.

16

acta Community Theatre Ltd

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2023

6. Total expenditure

Total expenditure
Staff costs (note 8)
Freelance fees
Premises costs
Vehicle hire
Production costs
Office costs
Insurance
Travel and accommodation
Depreciation
Print, publicity and documentation
Venue hire
Participant expenses
Training
Audit and accountancy
Affiliations and subscriptions
Bank charges
Bar/ café costs
Donations made
Sub-total
Allocation of support and governance costs
Total expenditure		 Raising
funds
£
47,515
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
2,152
-
49,667
36,210
85,877		 Charitable
activities
£
£
112,316
77,715
36,211
-
-
21,532
3,020
-
9,229
-
-
6,716
-
7,414
685
-
3,058
-
9,361
-
3,522
-
4,534
-
-
3,927
-
2,402
-
570
-
529
-
-
-
1,000
181,936
121,805
85,595
(121,805)
267,531
-
Support and
governance
costs		 2023
Total
£
237,546
36,211
21,532
3,020
9,229
6,716
7,414
685
3,058
9,361
3,522
4,534
3,927
2,402
570
529
2,152
1,000
353,408
-
353,408

Total governance costs for the year were £2,402.

17

acta Community Theatre Ltd

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2023

6. Total expenditure (continued) Prior period comparative

Prior period comparative
Staff costs (note 8)
Freelance fees
Premises costs
Vehicle hire
Production costs
Office costs
Insurance
Travel and accommodation
Depreciation
Print, publicity and documentation
Venue hire
Participant expenses
Training
Audit and accountancy
Affiliations and subscriptions
Bank charges
Sub-total
Allocation of support and governance costs
Total expenditure		 Raising
funds
£
48,611
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
48,611
21,291
69,902		 Charitable
activities
£
£
157,113
43,472
42,877
-
-
20,131
1,735
-
6,846
-
-
7,815
-
7,043
507
-
3,860
-
4,370
-
4,465
-
1,202
-
-
2,998
-
7,813
-
744
-
88
222,975
90,104
68,813
(90,104)
291,788
-
Support and
governance
costs		 2022
Total
£
249,196
42,877
20,131
1,735
6,846
7,815
7,043
507
3,860
4,370
4,465
1,202
2,998
7,813
744
88
361,690
-
361,690

Total governance costs were £7,813.

18

acta Community Theatre Ltd

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2023

7. Net movement in funds

This is stated after charging:

Net movement in funds
This is stated after charging:
2023 2022
£ £
Depreciation 3,058 3,860
Trustees' remuneration Nil Nil
Trustees' reimbursed expenses 41 45
Independent examiner's remuneration:
▪
Independent examination (excluding VAT)		 1,650 1,500
▪
Other services		 - 5,399

Trustee reimbursed expenses relate to travel expenses for one trustee (2022: one trustee).

8. Staff costs and numbers

Staff costs were as follows:

Salaries and wages
Social security costs
Pension costs		 2023
£
217,226
15,347
4,973
237,546		 2022
£
226,710
17,309
5,177
249,196

No employee earned more than £60,000 during the current or prior year.

The key management personnel of the charitable company comprise the Trustees, Executive Director and Finance and Operations manager. The total employee benefits of the key management personnel were £91,195 (2022: £82,073).

Average head count 2023
No.
7.5		 2022
No.
8.5

9. Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax as all its income is charitable and is applied for charitable purposes.

19

acta Community Theatre Ltd

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2023

10. Tangible fixed assets

Cost
At 1 April 2022
Additions in year
At 31 March 2023
Depreciation
At 1 April 2022
Charge for the year
At 31 March 2023
Net book value
At 31 March 2023
At 31 March 2022
11. Debtors
Trade debtors
Prepayments
Other debtors
12. Creditors : amounts due within 1 year
Trade creditors
Accruals
Other taxation and social security
Other creditors		 £
£
122,606
62,742
-
-
122,606
62,742
117,250
55,869
1,339
1,719
118,589
57,588
4,017
5,154
5,356
6,873
2023
£
9,311
3,756
22,911
35,978
2023
£
223
1,980
9,054
1,304
12,561
Stage
equipment
Office fittings
& equipment		 Total
£
185,348
-
185,348
173,119
3,058
176,177
9,171
12,229
2022
£
350
3,606
20,846
24,802
2022
£
7,338
1,800
5,759
1,235
16,132

20

acta Community Theatre Ltd

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2023

13. Analysis of net assets between funds

Analysis of net assets between funds
Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Net assets at 31 March 2023
Prior year comparative
Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Net assets at 31 March 2022		 £
-
96,776
-
96,776
£
-
122,553
-
122,553
Restricted
funds
Restricted
funds		 £
9,171
15,000
-
24,171
£
12,229
15,000
-
27,229
Designated
funds
Designated
funds		 £
-
106,258
(12,561)
93,697
£
-
116,651
(16,132)
100,519
General
funds
General
funds		 Total
funds
£
9,171
218,034
(12,561)
214,644
Total
funds
£
12,229
254,204
(16,132)
250,301

21

acta Community Theatre Ltd

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2023

14. Movements in funds

Movements in funds
Restricted funds
Quartet: Young Carers
Sufia
St Monica Trust: Making time
WECA:Elevate
Wellbeing café
Ragdoll: Forge
GambleAware: The long group
Quartet: Thriving theatre
Quartet: Core
WECA: Core
Other small grants
Total restricted funds
Unrestricted funds
Designated funds:
Premises repairs reserve
Equipment reserve
Thresholds
Total designated funds
General funds
Total unrestricted funds
Total funds
Paul Hamlyn Foundation:
Cornerstone
Nisbet Charitable Trust:
Phoenix
BBC Children in Need:
Lockleaze Kids
Lottery: Sudanese Youth
Theatre		 At 1 April
2022
£
90,000
(193)
1,639
2,638
9,995
3,720
5,851
-
3,000
-
-
-
-
-
5,903
122,553
10,000
12,229
5,000
27,229
100,519
127,748
250,301		 Income
£
£
-
(75,663)
36,498
(21,705)
27,329
(11,854)
7,000
(4,511)
-
(7,018)
-
(5,090)
19,836
(15,858)
17,709
(19,324)
11,760
(8,637)
11,000
(10,300)
12,114
(2,905)
5,000
(2,011)
10,000
(4,650)
3,000
(3,000)
4,737
(5,611)
165,983
(198,137)
-
-
-
(3,058)
-
-
-
(3,058)
151,768
(152,213)
151,768
(155,271)
317,751
(353,408)
Expenditure		 £
£
(3,625)
10,712
-
14,600
-
17,114
-
5,127
-
2,977
-
(1,370)
-
9,829
1,615
-
-
6,123
3,625
4,325
-
9,209
-
2,989
-
5,350
-
-
4,762
9,791
6,377
96,776
-
10,000
-
9,171
-
5,000
-
24,171
(6,377)
93,697
(6,377)
117,868
-
214,644
Transfers
between
funds
At 31 March
2023
96,776
10,000
9,171
5,000
24,171
93,697
117,868
214,644

22

acta Community Theatre Ltd

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2023

14. Movements in funds (continued)
At 1 April
2021
£
Restricted funds
8,955
7,201
4,300
5,041
4,507
2,000
Quartet: Lockleaze YT
4,900
5,047
Quartet: Young Carers
-
-
Sufia
-
St Monica Trust
-
Postcode Lottery: Pick n Mix
-
WECA: Turn Up
-
Wellbeing café
-
2,000
Total restricted funds
43,951
Unrestricted funds
Designated funds:
Premises repairs reserve
10,000
Equipment reserve
13,937
Thresholds
-
Total designated funds
23,937
General funds
89,980
Total unrestricted funds
113,917
Total funds
157,868
Nisbet Charitable Trust:
Phoenix
Prior period comparative
Paul Hamlyn Foundation:
Cornerstone
BBC Children in Need:
Lockleaze Kids
Bramble Trust: Young
Carers
Other small grants (various)
Community Fund: Holding
On
Stop the Loan Sharks:
Lockleaze Stories
Lottery: Sudanese Youth
Theatre
EU Creative Europe:
RAPPORT		 Income
£
£
180,000
(103,213)
21,459
(28,853)
10,000
(12,661)
-
(5,041)
20,000
(37,102)
-
(2,000)
-
(4,900)
-
(5,047)
4,945
(2,307)
9,995
-
4,000
(280)
19,836
(13,985)
10,890
(4,987)
9,982
(10,067)
3,000
-
-
(2,000)
294,107
(232,443)
-
-
-
(3,860)
-
-
-
(3,860)
160,016
(125,387)
160,016
(129,247)
454,123
(361,690)
Expenditure		 £
£
4,258
90,000
-
(193)
-
1,639
-
-
12,595
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
2,638
-
9,995
-
3,720
-
5,851
-
5,903
85
-
-
3,000
-
-
16,938
122,553
-
10,000
2,152
12,229
5,000
5,000
7,152
27,229
(24,090)
100,519
(16,938)
127,748
-
250,301
Transfers
between
funds
At 31 March
2022		 £
£
4,258
90,000
-
(193)
-
1,639
-
-
12,595
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
2,638
-
9,995
-
3,720
-
5,851
-
5,903
85
-
-
3,000
-
-
16,938
122,553
-
10,000
2,152
12,229
5,000
5,000
7,152
27,229
(24,090)
100,519
(16,938)
127,748
-
250,301
Transfers
between
funds
At 31 March
2022
122,553
10,000
12,229
5,000
27,229
100,519
127,748
250,301

23

acta Community Theatre Ltd

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2023

14. Movements in funds (continued) Purposes of restricted funds

Paul Hamlyn Foundation: Three year (2020 to 2023) support for engagement of diverse Cornerstone communities in programme and workforce, plus sector development.

BBC Children in Need: Support for drama and theatre workshops with children aged 5 to Lockleaze Kids 9 years in Lockleaze.

Nisbet Charitable Trust: Phoenix Theatre, weekly drama and theatre workshops for Phoenix vulnerable young adults aged 16 to 25 years, funded by Nisbet Charitable Trust.

Quartet: Young Carers Weekly youth theatre for young carers, meeting online this year. Lottery: Sudanese Youth Support for weekly drama and youth theatre workshops for Theatre children from the Sudanese community of Bristol.

Gamble Aware: The Long The Long Group is a creative support group for people in Group recovery from gambling harm. Set up as a partnership with Addiction Recovery for All, The Long Group is a supportive, friendly environment supporting its members to live happy and healthy lives.

24

acta Community Theatre Ltd

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2023

14. Movements in funds (continued) Purposes of restricted funds (continued)

Quartet: Thriving Theatre

Thriving Theatre originated from acta’s 2021 Hard Evidence project, a partnership with the Biomedical Research Centre. The project looked into using creative methods to disseminate scientific findings, in this case the importance of using mindfulness for trauma to support survivors of domestic violence. The cast of Hard Evidence were keen to continue working creatively with acta, and worked to set up Thriving Theatre, a creative support group for survivors of domestic abuse, beginning sessions in 2023.

Quartet: Core

£10,000 for design and development of a new, accessible and mobile friendly acta website.

WECA: Core

Funding to providing training for the CPD (continual professional develop) of the Director Oliver Jones.

Other small grants (various)

Various smaller grants to support the local programme.

Prior period funds:

Postcode Lottery: Pick n Mix

A weekly, creative arts group for over 55’s, which includes a home cooked hot meal.

Community Fund: Holding Creative support for isolated older people (Making Time group) On through lockdown.

EU Creative Europe: RAPPORT

A two year refugee integration partnership project during 2020 and 2021, bringing together local people from different nationalities and sharing theatre across Europe.

Bramble Trust: Young Carers

Weekly youth theatre for young carers, meeting online this year.

Quartet: Lockleaze YT

A youth theatre for older children and young people in Lockleaze.

Stop the Loan Sharks: Lockleaze Stories

A weekly community theatre company of adults in Lockleaze, creating a radio drama from their theatre show that raised awareness of debt and loan sharks.

WECA: Turn Up Working with Muslim women and girls in St Pauls, Bristol. Using audio technology, the group recorded their own podcast, reflecting on issues relevant to them.

25

acta Community Theatre Ltd

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2023

14. Movements in funds (continued) Purposes of designated funds

Premises repairs reserve

Funding designated for major repairs and upgrades to the external and internal condition of the premises.

Equipment reserve

Funding designated to ensure acta have the capacity to maintain and upgrade technology without impacting on the day to day running of the organisation.

Thresholds Donation to support current and future projects by acta.

Transfers between funds

Transfers to restricted funds are to cover the overspend on restricted projects.

15. Related party transactions

There were no related party transactions in the year.

16. Government grants

The charitable company receives government grants, comprising Key Arts Provider funding made by the local authority and National Portfolio Funding from the Arts Council to fund the programmes of acta Community Theatre Ltd. The total value of these grants is shown below. There were no unfulfilled conditions or contingencies attaching to these grants in the current or prior year.

Arts Council England NPO Funding
Bristol City Council Key Arts Provider
Total government grants
Prior year comparative
Arts Council England NPO Funding
Bristol City Council Key Arts Provider
National Lottery
West of England Combined Authority
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme grant
Total government grants		 Restricted Unrestricted
£
£
-
81,472
-
20,400
-
101,872
Restricted Unrestricted
£
£
-
81,472
-
20,400
9,995
-
9,982
-
-
610
19,977
102,482		 2023
Total
£
81,472
20,400
101,872
2022
Total
£
81,472
20,400
9,995
9,982
610
122,459

26