Charity Registration Number: NIC102129 ASSOCIATION OF FRIENDS OF THE SOUTH ULSTER YOUTH ORCHESTRA AND BAND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THEYEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER2024
ASSOCIATION OF FRIENDS OFTHE SOUTH ULSTER YOUTH ORCHESTRA AND BAND Unaudited Financial Statements Table of Contents Forthe year ended 30 September 2024 Page Report of the Trustees Report ofthe Independent Examiner Statement of Finantial Actiirities Statement of setS and Liabilities io Notes to the f inancial statements li Page 1
ASSOCIATION OF FRIENDS OF THE SOUTH ULSTER YOUTH ORCHESTRAAND BAND REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER2024 Introduction The trustees present their annual report and f inancial statements for the year ended 30 September 2024. The f inancial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in Note I to the financial statements and comply with the charitys constitution. the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to cha rities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021 (effective l January 20191. Assoclatlon of Frlends ofthe South Ulsteryouth Orcheslra and Band Music Setvice, EASouthern Region, Bann House, Brldge Street, Portadown, BT63 SAE Charity Registration Number-. NIC 102129 Date Registered.. 24 July 2015. Annual Report October 2023to September2024 Trustees and Office Bearers of the Association during the Reporting Year: Chairperson.. Andrew Fogaty Patrica O'Farrell (Resigned 24 September 20241 Currently vacant Niamh Mccluskey Caroline Doherty Vice Chairperson: Secretary.. Treasurer: Constitution The Association of Friends of the SUYO & SUYB is governed in accordance with its Constitution which was last updated and approved 2tthe AGM of the Association on 15 November 2016. Trusteesl Off icer Bearers are selected by persons in attendance at Annual General Meetings in accordance with ru les as set out in the Constitution. Oblectlves and Activttles Purpose To advance education and promote the appreciation and understanding of music for the benefit of the public with particular ref erence to orchestral and band music, by providing fi nancial and practical support. In particular supportingthe presentation of public performances and concert tours bythe South Ulsteryouth Orchestra and Band. The direct benef its which flow from the purposes include.. Encouragement of young musicians to participate in and experience the life of an orchestra player. Bringing classical music to the public through the provision of public performances in the host cityvenues. An opportunityto experience life as a touring musician. Forging cross community lifelong friendships. Personal development opportunity with focus on team building skills. OpportLJnities for students with musical ability to progress to advanced teaching with Music Service tutors, without regard to financial background. Page 2
ASSOCIATION OF FRIENDS OF THE SOUTH ULSTER YOUTH ORCHESTRA AND BAND REPORTOFTHE TRUSTEES YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024 Improved numbers of students feeding through to the Sen ior Orchestra, The benef its can be demonstrated through feedback arising from Orchestra and Band tours received from authorities within the host towns and cities and mern bers of the public attending open air events. Enhanced personal development as dernonstrated through students, applications to study and contribute to Senior Orchestra in follow up years, student progression to other orchestr2S, careers as professional rnusicians and success at ABRSM Examinations, Music GCSE and A Level etc. There are no detriments following from the purposes. The charity's beneficiaries are the mem bers of the Orchestras and Bandslin particular stUL1entsl and more widely members of the general public who have the opportunityto attend public performances ofthe music ensembles. There are no private benefits flowing from the purposes. Maln Actlvltles: l. To provides f inancial and practical support to the Music Service of the EA Southern Region, in the provision of opportunities for the South Ulster Youth Orchestra and the South Ulster Youth band to undertake tours at home or abroad at which orchestra members will undertake public performances 2. To provide financial support in form of bursaries for advanced tuition f or students pursuing advanced instrumental study beyond grade 5 under the pupilage of Music SeNice Tutors. 3. To provide financial assistance to the Music Summer to run additional workshops over and above that provided as part of standard provision. the purpose of which Is to enhance appreciation of music and performance by students. Main Achievements duringihe yearto September 2024 Chairperson's Report: This year has been a busy year forthe EA Music Service but things are slowly starting to get back to how things were before Covid-19 hit us. Unfortunately, our Chairperson Patricia O'Farrell had to withdraw from the board recently so we are at present without a chairperson. I think I speakfor all of The Association of Friends members, as well as Jan and Nuala, that Patrica went above and beyond in her role and wlll be sorely missed. As Vice Chairperson, l agreed to act as chairperson until another is appointed. In relation to financial support for our students in the form of bursaries. there were 8 recipients this year. The Association of Friends would particularly like to thank Diane Robinson who accompanied all the students on the day of the auditions, no mean feat! All persons involved on the panel expressed how happy theywere to hear the students from across the different centres play a range of instruments to such a high standard. Bursary recipients ranged from year 9 to year 13, with the top scores going this year to one year 12 Page 3
ASSOCIATION OF FRIENDS OF THE SOUTH ULSTER YOUTH ORCHESTRA AND BAND REPORTOF THETRUSTEES YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024 student and one year 13 student. I think I speak for all of us in The Association of Friends, that It's nice to see that the hard work of the students, and the support of the parents has paid off and will encourage others to piactice harder and aim for a bursary next year The generation of f unds has been met with increasing success with raff les at events throughout the year, it is anticipated that this will continue i n the upcoming concerts, Christrnas, Academygroups, Aprilshow case and Music makers. For logistical reasons, the Academy groups have moved from Tannaghmore Primary school in Lurgan to Clounagh Junior High School in Portadown. The EA music service is very thankful toTannaghmore Primaryschoolforalltheirsupport inthe past. In addition,we areveryhappy forthe support of the principal of Clounagh JHS, Mr Elliot for allowing us to use the f acilities at his school. Numbers in the groups have remained SiTnilar to the previous year and communications to raise awareness of the Friends association once all groups are up and runnlng. 1am sure I speak for all The Assoclatlon of Frlends members, that we are all looking fonNard to the following year helping as best we can to support the wonderful work that the EA music service do to help the children in South Ulster. With their hard work l am sure that our children will continue to bloom under their expert tuition. I would also like to thank everyone on the The Association of Friends commitee, who give their free time to do this valuable work and help as best as we can lan and Nuala. These past 2 years really have flown by and l enjoyed every minute of working together with you all. Andrew Fogarty Chairperson Adherence to Charities Commission Nl Statutory Guidance In the conduct of activities, the Association have regard for the public benefit requirements as set out in the Charities Commission Statutory guidance. Annual Accounts and Flnanclal Revlew The association has chosen to present annual accounts In Receipts and Payments format as permitted by Charities Commission Regulations. A set of accounts will be presented to Annual General Meeting on 28 November 2024 after being submitted to Professional accountants for review. All activities have been carried out in accordance with the requirements of the Charity Commission. The Charity Commission profile remained up to date with appointments, and the Financial Accounts Page 4
ASSOCIATION OF FRIENDS OF THE SOUTH ULSTER YOUTH ORCHESTRA AND BAND REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024 for the year ended 30 September 2023 were submitted within the required time limit. The Friends Association has sufficient funds to sustain the Association's activities without disruption. Income for 2023124 has shown improvement wth an increase of £760 compared to lastyear, as fundraising events retUTn to normal levels following the Covid-19 Pandemic. The Association's income during the Financial Year ending 30 September 2024was £2,823, derived from fundraising activities, membership contributions, and a small amount of interest on bank deposits. Expenditure in the Financial Year was £877, attributed to accountancy charges, trustee insurance and bankcharges. Following receipt of applications, shortlisting. and auditions held in January 2024, bursaries were awarded to 8 students. A delay in receipt of the Bursary invoice means the payment will be outgoing in the next financial year. Work continues in the background to generate a Just giving page and associated QR code to receive donations, after a delay in processing of the application. It is anticipated that the code could be added to event programs, makingthe donation process more eff icient and encouraging more parents to donate. Atyear End 30 Sepember 2024 the Association's bank deposits stood at£29,363, showingan increase of £1,946 from the previous year. Caroline Doherty Treasurer Reserves policy It is the policy of the charity that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to between three and six month's expenditure. The trustees consider that reseNes at this level will ensure that, in the event of 3 significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the charity's current activities while consideration is given to ways in which addition21 funds may be raised. This level of reseNes has been maintained throughout the year. Golng 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. Statement of Trustee's Responsibllitles Charity law requires the trustees to prepare tinancial statements for each financial period which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of its f inancial position at the end of that period. In preparing these f inancial statements, the trustees are required to: Page 5
ASSOCIATION OF FRIENDS OFTHE SOUTH ULSTER YOUTH ORCHESTRA AND BAND REPORTOFTHE TRUSTEES YEARENDED30SEPTEMBER2024 select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently. make judgements and esti mates that are reasonable and prudent. state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements. and prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the cha rity will continue in operation. The trustees have overall responsibilityfor ensuring that the charity has an appropriate systern of internal controls, financial and OtheiSe. They are also responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the f inancial statements comply with the Charities Act 2008. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity 2nd hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Dlsclosure of Inf ormatlon to Independent Examlners The Trustees who held office at the date of approval of this trustees, ieport confirm that, so far as they are each aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the Charity's i ndependent examiners are unaware. and each Trustee has taken all the steps they ought to have taken as 3 trustee to make themselves aware of any relevant information and to establish that the Charivs independent examiners are aware of that information, Andrew Fogarty Ghairperson Caroline Doherty Treasurer 25 February20 Page 6