The Frisson Foundation
6 Balgeddie Court GLENROTHES KY6 3QP
Scottish Charity Number: SC045641
TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND RECEIPTS & PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED
31 JULY 2025
The Frisson Foundation Trustees’ Report and Accounts For the period ended 31 July 2025
1
Reference and Administration Details
| Registered charity number | SC045641 |
|---|---|
| Principal address | 6 Balgeddie Court |
| Glenrothes | |
| KY6 3QP | |
| Committee members | Linda Cormie-Breckenridge (Co-Founder/Chair) |
| Bill Breckenridge (Co-Founder/Treasurer) | |
| Sue Stahly | |
| Russell Farquharson | |
| Jane Hawryliw (Safeguarding Officer) | |
| Lee Cullen (Secretary) | |
| Lesley Craig (Appointed 18 February 2025) | |
| Independent examiner | Linda Johnston |
| Paterson Boyd & Co | |
| 18 North Street | |
| Glenrothes | |
| Fife | |
| KY7 5NA | |
| Banker | TSB |
| 7-9 Postgate | |
| Glenrothes | |
| Fife | |
| KY7 5LH |
2
The Frisson Foundation Trustees’ Report and Accounts For the period ended 31 July 2025
Structure, Governance and Management
Governing Document
The Charity established as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation on the 27[th] May 2015, celebrating its tenth anniversary this year.
The Charity has a single tier structure and as such the Trustees are the members of the Charity.
Recruitment and Appointment of Trustees
The Board of Trustees meets twice yearly and more often as required, the nature of the events delivered by the Charity means that most of the Trustees are closely involved during that phase and are involved in short term tactical decisions regarding the challenge. In view of the increased activity one more Trustees joined the Board to serve for a two-year period.
Objectives and Activities
Overview
This report reflects an adjustment in our financial year end moving the year end from 27[th] May to 31[st] July 2025. This decision was taken to ensure that our Financial Statements accurately reflected our operational year and the activities therein. Changes to our operational year, primarily more headliner events (Regional Finals) in May, and the National Final in June as well as changes in industry practice where venues are calling for larger deposits up front meant that income and expenditure associated with our activities could not be fully reported in year.
Trustees are pleased to report that despite a difficult external environment, performance in the year 2024-2025 has continued to improve ahead of expectations.
The Trustees set out several objectives in the previous Annual Report for the forthcoming years:
-
To further increase growth in particular to engage with regions currently not represented in the Challenge
-
To employ staff, freelancers etc as appropriate and in a financially responsible manner to achieve the Foundation’s aims and objectives
-
To reinforce the Board of Trustees (2024/25)
-
To improve (non-financial) support to choirs/children in schools in line with objectives
-
Develop other projects and income streams
It is pleasing to note that progress has been made against all the objectives.
Charitable Purpose
The objective for which the Foundation is established remains the same namely to promote, improve and advance public education in music and other performing arts; in particular among children and young people who would otherwise be deprived of the benefits of live music and other performing arts.
Charitable Activities
The Scottish Primary School Glee Challenge
The objectives of the Charity are currently achieved through the annual Scottish Primary School Glee Challenge. The challenge is premised on three pillars: performance opportunities for children, an educational framework/journey for each choir and, the provision of wider support for the choirs and their leaders in order that the benefits can be achieved. Schools sign up and begin their Glee journey around October with performance opportunities running between February and June. With the National Final running late June.
Education Underpinning
It is well documented that music is under pressure in many schools, and we continue to endeavour to provide our schools with resources to enable them to participate. For 2024-25 support was provided via on-line resources including supporting music tracks, videos and on-line training sessions. We ran teacher-based workshops in Aberdeen and Edinburgh for 60 teacher/choir leaders. This worked well and was well received.
The Frisson Foundation Trustees’ Report and Accounts For the period ended 31 July 2025
3
Achievement and Performance (continued)
As stated in our previous report given the external landscape we considered 2024-25 to have been a significant achievement. Changes introduced in this previous period i.e. consolidating the events in larger venues and establishing a registration fee have now been adopted within the delivery model and are generally accepted by all our schools.
In terms of performance –
-
178 schools participated (18% increase on 2024),
-
Two teacher-based workshops – attended by 60 teachers,
-
5,100 children participated (14% increase on 2024),
-
30 events,
-
estimated 18,000 attendees (12% increase on 2024),
-
98% of those participating indicated they would be returning.
Once again, all the events were fully inclusive; we held a British Sign Language fully signed concert in Stirling and engaged with a school of complex needs as part of one of the Aberdeen concerts.
Several events were sold out, local media coverage and social media engagement throughout all the events was high and positive. Changes to larger venues avoided some of the pinch points that had created problems in previous years. Larger venues come with bigger costs; however, the increased capacities were filled, and most events were financially successful.
In June 2024 we invited an act to headline the National Final hoping that the cost would help our post Covid rebuilding process, help our long-term growth strategy by reinforcing our brand and what we do. That event ran well, was well received and achieved its objectives. For June 2025 National Final we moved the venue, partly due to venue scheduling issues but also as a strategic statement and invited two guest performers to the show. The result was our largest attendance at any single event, greater coverage of the event, a live stream watched by 14,000 people and incredibly positive feedback.
Overall, schools, carers and parents, and the children view the Glee Challenge as an excellent addition to schools and child development
Financial Review
The period ending 31 July 2025 saw a significant improvement in our financial position with capital/reserves increasing over that period by 35%.
Venue and Production Costs
Once again, the year saw substantial increases in venue and hire costs and as mentioned above venues seeking larger deposits, in some cases introducing up front deposits where none had been sought before, to improve their financial position. The Co-CEOs through active management of costs, marketing and social media positioning and of ticket pricing have managed to steer the charity to a reasonable surplus for the year.
The decision from previous years to consolidate events in larger venues and hold headliner events in halls such as the Caird Hall, Dundee, Music Hall, Aberdeen Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow and the Usher Hall, Edinburgh has significantly improved the profile of the Challenge. While they come with significantly higher costs they do allow the generation of economies of scale and generate audience numbers/ticket sales in a volume that can sustain low ticket pricing with small margins
Salaries
The surplus is possibly more remarkable given the changes in salaries and freelancing costs namely the addition of a part-time member of staff (0.6 FTE) and a contracted freelancer for all events. These posts will be reconfigured for 25/26. To reflect the continued growth and staffing responsibilities the CO-CEO (operations) received an increased salary and while still below market rate for someone overseeing an organisation generating around £250,000 in box office sales, the increase is in line with the stepped approach agreed with the Trustees. A further step increase will be considered this year to bring the salary for the role in line with other charitable organisations. The Co-CEO (Strategic) continues not to draw a salary.
The Frisson Foundation Trustees’ Report and Accounts For the period ended 31 July 2025
4
Financial Review (continued)
Ticket Pricing
Ticket pricing in the current climate is extremely sensitive and there is sufficient evidence to suggest a significant proportion of carer/parents cannot afford school trips and additional activities such as Glee. School budgets are extremely tight, and we continue to have to be able to demonstrate to schools and parents the value in what we do. We will continue to work with schools etc to maintain prices which are responsive to the needs of parents/carers etc.
Funding
Through the Arts for Impact Match Funding Challenge operated by Big Give we raised over £5,000. This is the first time we have been successful in a funding bid, and we will continue to explore funding opportunities as we move forward.
Monitoring
As in previous years the financial position and activities will continue to be monitored on a regular basis.
Reserves Policy
The Trustees’ policy is to retain sufficient funds to cover the opening three months of the Scottish Primary School Glee Challenge (usually January – March) this has been revised up from £40,000 - £50,000. This allows any commitments to be met, pre-event deposits and any unanticipated expenditure. As indicated previously the financial steps taken have ensured that this reserve is in place. The Trustees are confident that the current financial position is still within an acceptable range to support the forthcoming 25/26 challenge.
The Foundation continues to work hard to ensure that it has sufficient liquidity available for at least the next 12-15 months and can meet any liabilities as they fall due while allowing it to fund appropriate plans and projects to fulfil its stated charity objectives and in the longer term secure new projects and income streams.
Risk
In addition to the financial risks (see above) the Trustees and Co-CEOs continually assess all major risks to which the charity is exposed and reviews the systems necessary to mitigate these risks.
The risks presented by Covid 19 have diminished but we and our partner organisations continue to monitor such risks carefully and how they may be managed.
Appropriate insurances are in place, and we also ensure that all our volunteers have appropriate PVG coverage.
Plans for Future Period
As indicated earlier the Board of Trustees are actively pursuing the objectives set last year for 2024 - 2026
-
To further increase growth in particular to engage with regions currently not represented in the Challenge,
-
To employ staff, freelancers etc as appropriate and in a financially responsible manner to achieve the Charity’s aims and objectives,
-
To reinforce the Board of Trustees (2024/26),
-
To improve (non-financial) support to choirs/children in schools in line with objectives,
-
Develop other projects, income streams.
Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities
Charity Law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which reflect a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the charity and its financial activities for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to:
-
➢ Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently.
-
➢ Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent.
-
➢ State whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed, subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
-
➢ Prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operational existence; and
-
➢ Observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP.
The Frisson Foundation Trustees’ Report and Accounts For the period ended 31 July 2025
5
The trustees are 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 financial statements comply with the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended). They are responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf.
…………………………………. Linda Cormie-Breckenridge (Co-Founder/Chair)
.…………………………………. William Breckenridge (Co-Founder/Chair)
24 April 2026
………………………………. Date
24 April 2026 …………………………………. Date
6
Independent Examiner’s Report To the Trustees of The Frisson Foundation For the period ended 31 July 2025
I report on the accounts of the charity for the period from 28 May 2025 to 31 July 2025 which are set out on the following pages.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the terms of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended). The charity trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10(1) (d) of the 2006 Accounts Regulations does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts as required under section 44(1) (c) of the Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s statement
My examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended). An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeks explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
Independent examiner’s statement
In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
-
which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
-
to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 44 (1) (a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations, and
-
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 9 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations have not been met, or
-
to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
linda Nolurstow
…………………………… Linda Johnston FCCA Paterson Boyd & Co. Chartered Certified Accountants 18 North Street Glenrothes KY7 5NA
24 April 2026 ………………………………. Date
The Frisson Foundation Receipts and Payments Account For the period ended 31 July 2025
7
| 2025 Unrestricted funds £ RECEIPTS Donations 5,407 Other Income 9,570 Receipts from Charitable Activities 189,987 __ 204,964 PAYMENTS Cost of Charitable Activities 167,969 Governance Costs 420 Purchase of Equipment - ____ 168,389 Net surplus/(deficit) for the year 36,575 |
2025 Total funds £ 5,407 9,570 189,987 __ 204,964 167,969 420 - ____ 168,389 36,575 |
2024 Total funds £ 20 6,070 106,483 __ 112,573 54,353 485 - ____ 54,838 57,735 |
|---|---|---|
The Frisson Foundation Statement of Balances For the period ended 31 July 2025
8
| 2025 | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Total | Total | |
| funds | funds | funds | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Cash and bank: | |||
| Opening balance | 106,902 | 106,902 | 49,167 |
| Surplus/(Deficit) shown on receipts and payments account | 36,575 | 36,575 | 57,735 |
| _ | _ | _ | |
| Closing balance | 143,477 | 143,477 | 106,902 |
| Bank and Cash Balances | |||
| Bank Current Account | 143,181 | 143,181 | 104,231 |
| PayPal Account | 279 | 279 | 2,654 |
| Cash in hand | 17 | 17 | 17 |
| ______ | ______ | ______ | |
| 143,476 | 143,476 | 106,902 | |
| Other Assets | |||
| Computer Equipment | 3,795 | 3,795 | 2,496 |
| Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf. | |||
| linda Cormic—Bruckeridge | William Drukenuidye | ||
| ……………………………………… | ……………………………………… | ||
| Linda Cormie-Breckenridge | William Breckenridge | ||
| (Co-Founder/Chair) (Co-Founder/Chair) | (Co-Founder/Chair) (Co-Founder/Chair) | ||
| 24 April 2026 | 24 April 2026 | ||
| …………………………………….. | …………………………………….. | ||
| Date | Date |
9
NOTES TO THE RECEIPTS & PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
1.Basis of Accounting
These accounts have been prepared on the Receipt and Payments basis in accordance with the Charities & Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2015 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended).
2.Nature and Purpose of Funds
Unrestricted funds are those that may be used at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the objects of the charity. The trustees maintain a single unrestricted fund for the day to day running of the foundation.
3 . Related party transactions
Remuneration totalling £31,333 was paid to one or more Trustees during the year in respect of their duties as a Trustee. Throughout the previous reporting year in view of the unprecedented issues facing the Charity the Co-CEO decided not to draw any remuneration until such times as the Charity’s financial position was more secure. The Co-CEO recommenced drawing a salary in November 2023 in view of the significant turnaround of the Foundation’s financial position and the concomitant security of the Charity’s future.
4.Banking Arrangements
The Charity having regard to the liquidity requirements of operating the charity maintain the funds in a standard business current account.
5.Cost of Charitable Activities
| Cost of Production’s Insurance Advertising Office Costs Director Remuneration/Honorarium Salaries Employer NI Volunteer Cost Travel Costs Hosp/Misc Total Governance Costs Accountancy fees |
2025 96,579 777 60 4,567 25,066 14,843 8,291 7,392 6,513 3,882 167,969 420 |
2024 27,650 376 180 2,121 13,124 - - 4,402 4,449 2,051 54,353 485 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
6.Governance Costs
7.Risk
The Trustees and Co-CEOs continually assess all major risks to which the charity is exposed and reviews the systems necessary to mitigate these risks on a regular basis.