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2024-03-31-annual-report

Company Registration No. NI067153 Charity No. NIC 108363

DUMBWORLD LTD

COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE

UNAUDITED

ACCOUNTS FOR

THE YEAR ENDED

31 MARCH 2024

DUMBWORLD LTD

(COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

----- Start of picture text -----
Page
Company Information 2
Directors’ Report 3
Independent Examiner’s Report 7
Income statement 8
Statement of financial position 9
Notes to the accounts 10
Detailed profit and loss account 15
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1

DUMBWORLD LTD

(COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)

COMPANY INFORMATION

Directors Ms Aimee Consiglia Conway
Mr Mark Glazier
Mr Steven Hadley
Mr Aidan Geary
Secretary Max Beer (Resigned 9 December 2024)
John McIlduff (Appointed 9 December 2024)
Company Number NI067153 (Northern Ireland)
Charity Number NIC 108363
HMRC Charity Number NI01309
Registered Office Office 28
Imperial Buildings
70-74 High Street
Belfast
Antrim
BT1 2BE
Accountants Beech Accounting Ltd
185 Magheralane Road
Randalstown
Antrim
BT41 2PH
Banker Bank of Ireland
1 Donegall Square South
Belfast
BT1 5LR
Independent PGR Accountants Ltd
Examiners The Office Dock
Unit 2 Channel Wharf
21 Old Channel Road
Belfast
BT3 9DE

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DUMBWORLD LTD

(COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)

DIRECTORS’ REPORT

The directors present their report and accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024.

Directors

The following directors held office during the whole of the period: Mr Mark Glazier Mr Stephen Hadley Ms Aimee Consiglia Conway Mr Aidan Geary

Mr Aidan Geary appointed on 23 May 2023.

Statement of directors' responsibilities

The directors are responsible for preparing the report and accounts in accordance with applicable law and regulations. Company law requires the directors to prepare accounts for each financial year. Under that law, the directors have elected to prepare the accounts in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). Under company law the directors must not approve the accounts unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the profit or loss of the company for that period. In preparing these accounts, the directors are required to: - select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; - make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; - prepare the accounts on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business. The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Small company provisions

This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to small companies within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.

Objectives and Activities

Our Vision is to create extraordinary arts experiences of the highest quality.

Our Mission is to explore the intersection of music, image and words with artists and communities locally, nationally, and internationally.

Our Values are:

Our Strategic Aims / Goals are:

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DUMBWORLD LTD

(COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)

In shaping our activities for the year, the Trustees have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance regarding public benefit. Dumbworld’s activities consist of three main areas of activity and ambition. Each have certain crossovers, and can be broadly broken down as follows:

(i) Engagement & Participation:

We provide emerging musicians and composers with mentoring and invaluable hand-on experience that helps establish their reputations as professional artists working at the highest level in classical music.

We combine highly skilled creatives with individuals who have little or no performance experience, and our artistic work is an invitation for people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds to use their own personal and emotional vocabularies / experiences in the creative process.

(ii) Original New Works

We produce / co-produce original new work in partnership with leading arts organisations and create powerful sonic and visual experiences.

(iii) Digital Technology & Film

We explore how new digital technologies can create new and innovative arts experiences.

Achievements and Performance

During financial year 2024, Dumbworld produced 92 performances or events attended by an estimated 10,715 people, 40 engagement and participation events for an estimated 870 participants and 9 exhibitions attended by an estimated 23,780 people.

Highlights included:

SCORCHED EARTH TRILOGY: Co-produced with Irish National Opera, the Scorched Earth Trilogy are three short Street Art Operas which explore the impact of climate change through the eyes of polar bears, children & world leaders. Projected onto the sides of buildings, with wireless headphones for audience members, these Street Art Operas were described by The Sunday Times as “Anarchic & funny…satirical & bang up to date…short, sharp, sardonic commentaries on the climate crisis”.

We screened the trilogy in partnership with venues / festivals in Bangor (Wales), Haverfordwest, Cardiff, Ollomont (Italy), Kilkenny Arts Festival, Dublin, Belfast, Rathmines & Other Voices Festival (Co Kerry). We also delivered workshops in digital arts techniques in Cardiff, passing on skills and knowledge around out processes in creating digital opera for outdoor projection.

REVISITING THE AMBULATORY ART: We commissioned four groups of artists to explore the connections between arts and walking to create a series of immersive artistic interventions experienced on foot across Belfast city.

· Congregation by Ray Lee: A participatory outdoor sonic performance art project held in and around Belfast City Centre.

· It’s Close, But It’s Not Right by Brown & Brí with Stephen Sexton: A twilight walk around the top lake at the Waterworks Park in north Belfast with new writing performed within a painterly landscape of light.

· Spontaneous Footsteps Choir by Tom Hughes: A participatory and performative sound, dance and music walk at Belvoir Forest Park, Belfast, allowing a group of strangers to experience the power of improvisation, connectedness and synchronicity.

· Roast Goose and Chicken Stew by John D’Arcy & Vanissa Law: A fictitious exploration of curious links between Hong Kong and Northern Ireland, focusing on a secret government file named “The Replantation of Northern Ireland from Hong Kong” in Belfast City Centre.

WHALES, BATS & ANARCHY: A collection of audio-visual works created by groups and communities across Ireland and overseas. These musical, digital, improvisatory, colourful, and poignant works were presented in a gallery setting in Belfast.

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(COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)

DUMBWORLD LTD

· Tools for Solidarity (Belfast): who repurpose unwanted sewing machines and tools for re-use in sub-Saharan Africa created a film of four improvised duets between classical musicians & volunteers which demonstrate the values of self-reliance, generosity, and care.

· Pink Ladies (Derry): who are a choir of cancer survivors composed, recorded & filmed a new song exploring their messages of resilience, strength and enjoyment of life.

· Forthspring Inter Community Group (Belfast): who provide support for residents at an interface area responded musically and co-created two songs which address mental health issues within the community.

· Stop These Games (Nairobi, Kenya): Presentation of the short film exploring young people’s reactions to climate change in Kenya.

· Rice College (Ennis, County Clare): Presentation of audio-visual piece co-created with pupils who campaign for greater environmental sustainability.

FUTURE GARDEN: In collaboration with Participation and the Practice of Rights, The MAC, Belfast, asylum seekers, mental health activists and people living in housing distress asked how the needs & rights of humans for shelter can coexist with our need to care for the planet we live on. Future Garden explored two gardens. The first is a Future Garden which does not exist yet on the brownfield former Mackies factory site in West Belfast - an area where an estimated 2,000 children are living in housing stress, and the second is the remarkable 12-acre private botanical garden at Helen’s Bay which has been cared for over 100 years by the owners of the Mackies factory. The project was presented in the MAC (Belfast) gallery as part of their At The Table exhibition.

A CHILDREN’S GUIDE TO ANARCHY: A co-production with Scotland’s Red Note Ensemble. Following workshops with schools and community groups in Easterhouse, Glasgow to create the narrative storyline and new music for a re-interpretation of by the 1931 Spanish publication 'La Anarquia Explicada a Los Niños' - a guidebook for children explaining the ideas and practises of anarchy – we created a collection of seven musical animated video posters that explore key elements of “anarchical” thinking such as autonomy, kindness and human connectivity from a child’s perspective. Presented in Glasgow and at Young At Art’s Belfast Children’s Festival, 2024.

A NEW TOPOGRAPHY OF LOVE PART II: Played on a bespoke, vintage arcade console the installation using video gaming and an operatic soundtrack to tell a tale of environmental destruction - imagine Super Mario Brothers meets Mario Lanza, Mickey Mouse, whales, bats, birds, and Jeff Bezos, all battling it out for the future of our very own planet earth. The game toured to Dublin, Belfast and Other Voices Festival (Co Kerry).

CÁ NDEACHAIG MÉ: Screenings of short 16mm experimental film which explores the morphing of identity through the Gaeilge and Scottish Gaelic language in parallel with the emigration process at Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival (Belfast), Dunfanaghy (Co Donegal), Earagail Arts Festival (Co Donegal), Sea Change Film Festival (Isle of Tiree, Scotland).

SHEE: Commissioned from BFI as part of their More Films for Freedom programme, this short film exploring LGBTQ+ issues in Kenya. The film follows couple Shee and Magnus as they deal with the aftermath of an unexpected pregnancy and negotiate the questions and rifts this brings into their relationship. With same-sex adoption illegal in their home in Kenya they must decide whether they should go ahead with the pregnancy as this may be their only chance to have a family. Screened at film festivals in Belfast, York, Leeds, Cork & Berlin.

Financial Review

The results for the year are set out on page 8.

Total income for the year was £255,114, of which 98.6% was from contracts for charitable activities and 1.4% from other trading activities.

Total expenditure for the year was £255,698 of which 100% was expended on direct charitable activities.

The balance on total funds at the year end was £115,489 of which £101,840 was unrestricted and £13,649 was restricted.

Going Concern

Having reviewed the Charity’s forecasts, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. The principal factors underlying this judgement include:

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DUMBWORLD LTD

(COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)

Accordingly, the Charity continues to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the annual financial statements.

Reserves Policy

Dumbworld aims to maintain reserves in unrestricted funds at a level equivalent to approximately six months of core operating costs. These reserves are a contingency which aim to:

Should the minimum of six months unrestricted reserves be reached, then the charity will establish a separate unrestricted reserve for future artistic development activities which advance the charities objectives. The reserves policy and the levels of reserves required are reviewed yearly as part of the annual budgetary process.

Plans for the Future

Dumbworld will continue to develop and grow creative partnerships, programmes, and projects, while also devising new, innovative initiatives that explore the intersection of music, image, and words. Future plans are to establish co-producing partnerships that enable larger, more ambitious projects, with longer lead in times to be realised, while also remaining committed to delivering engagement projects which democratise arts provision and which can impact with people and communities at a local level. We will continue to use arts processes as a tool to explore complex issues such as climate change, political/social governance and mutual aid…in ways which are quirky, innovative and fun.

Signed on behalf of the board of directors.

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

Mr Mark Glazier Director Approved by the board on 16[th] December 2024

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DUMBWORLD LTD

(COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)

Independent Examiner's Report

I report on the financial statements of Dumbworld Ltd (or “the charity”) for the financial year ended 31 March 2024, which comprise the Income and Expenditure Statement, the Balance Sheet and the related notes.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

As the directors of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the terms of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 as amended by the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 and the Companies Act 2006 where applicable. Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under charity law, and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:

Basis of independent examiner's report

I have examined the charity accounts as required under section 65 of the Charities Act and my examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland under section 65(9)(b) of the Charities Act.

The examination included a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also included consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as charity trustees concerning any such matters.

An independent examination does not involve gathering all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently does not cover all the matters that an auditor considers in giving their opinion on the accounts. The planning and conduct of an audit go beyond the limited assurance that an independent examination can provide. Consequently, I express no opinion as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and my report is limited to those specific matters set out in the independent examiner’s statement.

My role is to state whether any material matters have come to my attention giving me reasonable cause to believe:

  1. That accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006 and Section 63 of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 as amended by the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 where applicable;

  2. That the accounts do not accord with those accounting records;

  3. That the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 and with methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102); and

  4. That there is further information needed for a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Independent examiner's statement

Since your charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a listed body. I can confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a registered member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Ireland which is one of the listed bodies. I have completed my examination and have no concerns in respect of the matters (1) to (4) listed above and, in connection with following the Directions of the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland, I have found no matters that require drawing to your attention.

Mr Jonathan McNeill For and on behalf of PGR Chartered Accountants Unit 2 Channel Wharf 21 Old Channel Road Belfast, Co. Antrim BT3 9DE Date: 16/12/2024

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DUMBWORLD LTD

(COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Income
Income and endowments from:
Charitable activities
Note 3
Other trading activities
Note 3
Investments
Total
Expenditure
Expenditure on:
Charity Activities
Note 4
Other
Total
Net income/(expenditure) before tax for
the reporting period
Tax payable
Net income/(expenditure)
Extraordinary items
Transfers between funds
Other recognised gains/(losses):
Currency Exchange gains/(losses)
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward		 Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
income
funds
Total funds
Prior year
funds
2024
2024
2024
2023
£
£
£
£
130,465
121,039
251,504
461,110
3,610
-
3,610
500
-
-
-
-
134,075
121,039
255,114
461,610
106,202
149,496
255,698
366,746
-
-
-
-
106,202
149,496
255,698
366,746
27,873
(28,457)
(584)
94,864
-
-
-
-
27,873
(28,457)
(584)
94,864
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(695)
-
(695)
575
27,178
(28,457)
(1,279)
95,439
74,662
42,106
116,768
21,329
101,840
13,649
115,489
116,768

8

DUMBWORLD LTD

(COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)

BALANCE SHEET FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Notes
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
6
Current assets
Debtors
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
8
Net Current assets less current liabilities
Creditors: falling due after more than one year
Net Total (liabilities)/assets
Funds
Restricted funds
9
Unrestricted funds
9
Total funds		 2024
£
9,476
9,476
16,281
184,868
201,149
(95,136)
106,013
-
115,489
13,649
101,840
115,489		 2023
£
10,435
10,435
72,129
85,787
157,916
(51,583)
106,333
-
116,768
42,106
74,662
116,768

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions in Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies subject to the small companies' regime and in accordance with FRS102 SORP.

The directors are satisfied that the company is entitled to exemption from the provisions of the Companies Act 2006 relating to audit of the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 by virtue of section 477, and that no member or members have requested an audit pursuant to section 476 of the Act.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.

The financial statements were approved by the Board on 16[th] December 2024 and signed on its behalf by:

Mr Mark Glazier Director

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DUMBWORLD LTD

(COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)

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

1. Objectives and activities

The company was set up for the advancement of education and the benefits flowing from your purposes are beneficial to the public in general, or to a sufficient section of the public and are therefore for the public benefit.

.

2. Accounting policies

The following accounting policies have been applied consistently in dealing with items which are considered material in relation to the financial statements.

2.1 Basis of preparation

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies' regime and in accordance with FRS102 SORP.

2.2 Grants

Grants received, including grants for the purchase of fixed assets, are recognised in full in the accounts for the year in which they are receivable and when the company's entitlement becomes legally enforceable.

2.3 Fund accounting

The company has two different types of funds for which it is responsible, and which require separate disclosure. These are as follows:

Restricted funds. Donations and grants received which are earmarked by the donor or funder for specific purpose. Such purposes are within the overall aims of the organisation and are set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Unrestricted funds. Funds which are expendable at the discretion of the Directors in the furtherance of the objectives of the company. In addition, the funds may be held in order to finance capital investment and working capital.

2.4 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less depreciation. Upon completion depreciation will be provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows:

Office Equipment Fixtures & equipment

15% Reducing Balance 15% Reducing Balance

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DUMBWORLD LTD

(COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)

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

3. ANALYSIS OF INCOME

Restricted
Unrestricted
income		 Total
funds funds funds Prior year
£ £
Arts Council 70,928 62,705 133,633 129,667
Belfast City Council 16,731 4,625 21,356 16,731
British Arts Council 2,500 2,500 -
Arts Ireland 12,787 - 12,787 1,765
Future Screens 16,065 16,065 26,919
Charitable Foyle Foundation - - - 20,000
Activities Halifax Grant - - - 4,900
Meath Grant 870 870 55,305
Nerve Centre 10,000 4,645 14,645 134,919
Curious Industries 4,931 - 4,931 -
General grants provided by government/other
charities & other income 14,218 30,499 44,717 70,904
Total 130,465 121,039 251,504 461,110
Other trading
activities:		 Projector Hire -
3,610		 -
-		 -
3,610
-
500
- - -
-
Other - - -
-
Total 3,610 - 3,610 500
TOTAL 134,075 121,039 255,114 461,610
INCOME

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DUMBWORLD LTD

(COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)

4. EXPENDITURE ANALYSIS

Expenditure on Charity Activities:
Direct Costs including Artistic direction fee, Artists fees and
expenses, Photography fees, Development management fees, Set
Operations, Stage Manager fees, Technical staff and Workshop
costs
Advertising & Marketing
Salaries
Pension costs
Staff Training and Welfare
Rent
Admin Costs and Office supplies and Postage
Insurance
Equipment and Technical Hire
Repairs and Maintenance
Subscriptions
Travel and Catering Costs
Accountancy
Consulting
Depreciation
Bank fees
Sundry Expenses
Total expenditure on charity activities		 Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
income
funds
Total
funds
Total
funds
2024
2024
2024
2023
£
£
£
£
49,150 85,117 134,267 191,920
1,046 807 1,853 4,174
- 55,796 55,796 24,890
1,570
- 1,570 719
- - - 90
4,898
- 4,898 4,068
1,138 2,445 3,583 3,030
2,093
- 2,093 1,948
(896) 2,106 1,210 14,169
- - - 582
285
285 155
4,933 2,465 7,398 23,870
5,767
5,767 4,675
33,742 700 34,442 89,966
1,672
1,672 1,841
354 60 414 357
450
450 292
106,202
149,496 255,698 366,746

5. STAFF COSTS AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

The average number of persons employed by the charitable company during the year was 2 (2023:2)

The total staff costs and employee benefits were as follows:

Salaries and wages
Social security costs
Pension costs		 2024
2023
£
£
55,630 24,890
- -
1,570 719
57,200 25,609

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DUMBWORLD LTD

(COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)

6. TANGIBLE ASSETS

Cost
At 1 April 2023
Additions
At 31 March 2024
Depreciation
At 1 April 2023
Charge for the year
At 31 March 2024
Net book value
At 31 March 2024
At 31 March 2023		 Office
Equipment
Fixtures &
Equipment
Total
£
£
£
13,351
10,110
23,461
713
-
713
14,064
10,110
24,174
7,152
5,874
13,026
1,037
635
1,672
8,189
6,509
14,698
5,875
3,601
9,476
6,199
4,236
10,435

7. RECEIVABLES

2024 2023
£ £
Trade Debtors - -
Prepayments and accrued income 16,281 72,129
Other debtors - -
16,281 72,129

8. CREDITORS

2024 2023
£ £
Creditors 18,587 25,493
Accruals 4,366 3,973
Deferred Income 66,535 19,871
PAYE 5,648 2,246
95,136 51,583

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DUMBWORLD LTD

(COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)

9. RESERVES

----- Start of picture text -----
Balance at Incoming Outgoing Transfer of Balance at
1 April 2023 resources resources Funds 31 March 2024
£ £ £ £ £
Restricted reserves 42,106 121,039 (149,496) - 13,649
Unrestricted reserves 74,662 134,075 (106,897) - 101,840
116,768 255,114 (256,393) - 115,489
----- End of picture text -----

----- Start of picture text -----
Tangible Net current
Analysis of net assets between funds fixed assets Assets Total
----- End of picture text -----

Restricted reserves
Unrestricted reserves		 £
£
£
-
13,649
13,649
9,476
92,364
101,840
9,476
106,013
115,489

10. Contingent liabilities

The company currently has no contingent liabilities.

11. Share capital

The company is a company limited by guarantee and does not have share capital.

12. Transactions with related parties

The directors of the company are appointed and are accountable to the members. They have not received any remuneration or other benefits from the company in this period.

There have been no related party transactions in the reporting period.

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DUMBWORLD LTD

(COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)

DETAILED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT

Income
Restricted Funding
Unrestricted Funding
Cost of Sales
Direct Costs
Gross Profit
Administrative Expenditure
Travel Cost
Rent
Printing & Stationary
Staff costs and Welfare
Subscriptions
Bank Charges
Insurance
Equipment hire
Repairs and Maintenance
Sundry expense
Accountancy
Consultancy
Advertising and PR
Currency Exchange (Gain)/Loss
Other expenditure-Depreciation
Net income/(expenditure)		 2024
£
121,039
134,075
255,114
134,267
120,847
7,398
4,898
3,583
57,366
285
414
2,093
1,210
0
450
5,767
34,442
1,853
695
1,672
122,126
(1,279)		 2023
£
328,677
132,933
461,610
191,920
269,690
23,870
4,068
3,030
25,699
155
357
1,948
14,169
582
292
4,675
89,966
4,174
(575)
1,841
174,251
95,439

15