Charity registration number 1123020
Company registration number 06452732 (England and Wales)
DONCASTER LITTLE THEATRE LIMITED
ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
PAGES FOR FILING WITH REGISTRAR
DONCASTER LITTLE THEATRE LIMITED
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Trustees
C Bolus
D Hodson
Mrs B Upton
Mr A C Clark
Ms R Wainwright
Secretary
Mrs B Upton
Charity number
1123020
Company number
06452732
Registered office
1 King Street
Doncaster
DN1 1JD
Independent examiner
Burton Associates
Chartered Certified Accountants
33 Thorne Road
Doncaster
DN1 2HD
DONCASTER LITTLE THEATRE LIMITED
CONTENTS
Page
Trustees' report
1 - 3
Independent examiner's report
4
Statement of financial activities
5
Balance sheet
6
Notes to the financial statements
7 - 13
DONCASTER LITTLE THEATRE LIMITED
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
- 1 -

The Trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's [governing document], the Companies Act 2006 and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019).

Objectives and activities

The objectives of Doncaster Little Theatre are: promotion of the arts and in particular drama, mime, dance and singing in their various aspects, as a community arts venue and across the geographic area of Doncaster.

 

The Little Theatre was developed and run as a Community Arts Venue by its members as volunteers, to enhance the creative life of Doncaster and provide education in and appreciation of the Performing Arts. This is achieved through presenting its own productions, and delivering workshops and drama lessons to its adult members and young people between the age of 7 and 18, providing out of school activities for its junior members.

 

The theatre continues to work to produce shows of a high standard in order to engage the local community in the Arts. We are also encouraging our children and adults to work together and they are continuing to produce shows of a high quality. We promote the work of the theatre through Open Evenings and drama workshops.

 

The provision of opportunities to act, work back stage, build sets, make props and costume and training in front of house, bar, box office, advertising and technical duties provide valuable life skills for our membership and this will continue as our numbers grow.

 

The theatre has a 99 seat auditorium with a lounge and bar area with full disabled access facilities, including a hearing loop in the auditorium.

The theatre provides an entertainment venue for the residents of Doncaster and encourages members to improve their skills by providing training on technical, front of house, bar and box office as well as acting workshops and the opportunity to appear on stage in one of the many productions each year.

 

The Trustees consider that they have complied with the duty in section 4 of the Charities Act 2006 and had due regard to the public benefit guidance issued by the Charity Commission and that we can show this through the work with members and the wider public in promoting the dramatic arts in Doncaster.

Achievements and performance

Post-pandemic the theatre has been open to full audiences and we have staged some well-received shows which have helped to replenish the coffers. The Pantomime was very successful when we were able to stage it. Other dramatic productions have been well attended and the artistic input has been very much appreciated. Our young people have staged two successful shows and we are hoping for a full performance schedule in the forthcoming year. The Company has been joined by four new artistic directors so we are able to offer a variety of dramatic genres. There are plans to take a show to the Edinburgh Fringe in August 2022.

 

 

 

Financial review

The Trustees are pleased to report that they are continuing to put money into the Reserve Account in order to support any emergency repairs or similar need. The theatre has been fortunate to receive financial help from Government funded schemes. This money has kept the theatre financially viable.

 

DONCASTER LITTLE THEATRE LIMITED
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
- 2 -
Structure, governance and management

The Trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error.

 

The Trustees regularly review the risks that the theatre faces both internally and externally. This is exemplified in their Financial Controls Policy.

 

This year the Board has remained settled.

The risks that we currently face are:

 

1. There remains a significant number of people out of work in the Doncaster Borough and this is not likely to improve with the Pandemic having had serious consequences for many areas of business and therefore people’s disposable income. Added to this, the current cost-of-living difficulties are having an adverse effect on what people can afford to spend on leisure activities.

 

2. Doncaster's New Performance Venue is now fully open again and therefore competes for audience members.

 

3. As a voluntary organisation it is vital that the members provide their support by helping with the daily running of the building and the production of shows. Our volunteer base has increased in number over the past year and though there is still work to be done to retain those we recruit by offering training of a high standard. We need to keep building our number of volunteers to ensure that the theatre can continue to operate and be financially viable. It is important that the Directors build in some succession planning as some of our key members get older and need to slow down.

 

4. There is still an observable risk from other amateur companies springing up within the borough’s boundaries and some groups continue to use our members for their own productions thus reducing our membership base. This is a threat to the efficient working of our Company so the recruitment of new members remains paramount.

 

5. Work continues to be carried out to ensure that the building is safe and fit for purpose. The upgrades done during the Pandemic and beyond are helping to ensure the sustainability of the theatre for the future.

 

Doncaster Little Theatre Limited is a company limited by guarantee and registered charity. It is operated under the rules of its memorandum and articles of association dated 13th December 2007. It has no share capital and the liability of each member in the event of winding up is limited to £1.

 

Membership is open to any individual who applies and is approved by the Trustees and signs the members register or consents in writing to become a member.

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

T Bolus
(Resigned 5 June 2023)
C Bolus
G Carpenter
(Resigned 5 June 2023)
D Hodson
Mrs B Upton
J J Carpenter
(Resigned 12 December 2022)
Mr A C Clark
Ms R Wainwright
DONCASTER LITTLE THEATRE LIMITED
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
- 3 -

The company's current policy concerning the payment of trade creditors is to follow the CBI's Prompt Payers Code (copies are available from the CBI, Centre Point, 103 New Oxford Street, London WC1A 1DU).

 

The company's current policy concerning the payment of trade creditors is to:

 

Statement of trustees responsibilities

The Trustees (who are also the Directors of Doncaster Little Theatre Limited for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

 

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company 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 charitable company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

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

Mrs B Upton
Trustee
28 November 2023
DONCASTER LITTLE THEATRE LIMITED
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF DONCASTER LITTLE THEATRE LIMITED
- 4 -

I report to the Trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Doncaster Little Theatre Limited (the charity) for the year ended 31 March 2023.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the Trustees of the charity (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (the 2006 Act).

Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the charity 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 charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act). In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

1

accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

2

the financial statements do not accord with those records; or

3

the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or

4

the financial statements have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for 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).

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 financial statements to be reached.

Burton Associates
Chartered Certified Accountants
33 Thorne Road
Doncaster
DN1 2HD
Dated: 28 November 2023
DONCASTER LITTLE THEATRE LIMITED
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
- 5 -
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
funds
funds
2023
2022
Notes
£
£
Income and endowments from:
Charitable activities
3
50,507
36,196
Other trading activities
4
-
8,000
Investments
5
84
11
Other income
6
36,400
19,937
Total income
86,991
64,144
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
7
1,389
2,000
Charitable activities
8
75,384
55,869
Total expenditure
76,773
57,869
Net income for the year/
Net movement in funds
10,218
6,275
Fund balances at 1 April 2022
37,417
31,142
Fund balances at 31 March 2023
47,635
37,417

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006.
DONCASTER LITTLE THEATRE LIMITED
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT
31 MARCH 2023
31 March 2023
- 6 -
2023
2022
Notes
£
£
£
£
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
12
5,167
4,759
Current assets
Stocks
13
1,369
2,588
Debtors
14
9,575
8,519
Cash at bank and in hand
37,076
23,351
48,020
34,458
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
15
(5,552)
(1,800)
Net current assets
42,468
32,658
Total assets less current liabilities
47,635
37,417
Income funds
Unrestricted funds
47,635
37,417
47,635
37,417

The company is entitled to the exemption from the audit requirement contained in section 477 of the Companies Act 2006, for the year ended 31 March 2023.

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

The member has not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year in question in accordance with section 476.

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

The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 28 November 2023
Mrs  B  Upton
Trustee
Company registration number 06452732
DONCASTER LITTLE THEATRE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
- 7 -
1
Accounting policies
Charity information

Doncaster Little Theatre Limited is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 1 King Street, Doncaster, DN1 1JD.

1.1
Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's [governing document], the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the Charities SORP "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

 

The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.

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

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, [modified to include the revaluation of freehold properties and to include investment properties and certain financial instruments at fair value]. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

1.2
Going concern

At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the the trust 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.

 

1.3
Charitable funds

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

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

Endowment funds are subject to specific conditions by donors that the capital must be maintained by the charity.
1.4
Income
Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.

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

Legacies are recognised on receipt or otherwise if the charity has been notified of an impending distribution, the amount is known, and receipt is expected. If the amount is not known, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset.
DONCASTER LITTLE THEATRE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 8 -
1.5
Expenditure

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

 

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

Software
20% straight line
1.6
Tangible fixed assets

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

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

Plant and equipment
20% - 33% straight line

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

1.7
Impairment of fixed assets

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

1.8
Stocks

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

Net realisable value is the estimated selling price less all estimated costs of completion and costs to be incurred in marketing, selling and distribution.

1.9
Cash and cash equivalents

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

DONCASTER LITTLE THEATRE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 9 -
1.10
Financial instruments

The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

 

Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

 

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Basic financial assets

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

Basic financial liabilities

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

 

Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

 

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Derecognition of financial liabilities

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

1.11
Employee benefits

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

 

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

2
Critical accounting estimates and judgements

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

 

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

DONCASTER LITTLE THEATRE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
- 10 -
3
Charitable activities

Charitable Income

Charitable Income

2023
2022
£
£

Ticket sales

26,286
14,753

Room hire

18,786
16,484

Subscriptions

5,435
4,959
50,507
36,196
4
Other trading activities
Total
Unrestricted
funds
2023
2022
£
£
Government grants
-
8,000
5
Investments
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
funds
funds
2023
2022
£
£
Interest receivable
84
11
6
Other income
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
funds
funds
2023
2022
£
£
Other income
585
-

Food and wet sales

32,574
18,760

Donations and raffles

3,241
1,177
36,400
19,937
DONCASTER LITTLE THEATRE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
- 11 -
7
Raising funds
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
funds
funds
2023
2022
£
£
Fundraising and publicity
Advertising
1,389
2,000
1,389
2,000
8
Charitable activities

Charitable Expenditure

Charitable Expenditure

2023
2022
£
£
Depreciation and impairment
1,722
1,586

Rent and room hire

16,215
16,724

Insurance

4,079
4,817

Utilities

9,025
4,834

Telephone

1,098
1,008

Premises maintenance

4,145
7,243

Bank charges

2,033
1,546

Cleaning

4,147
2,070

Equipment repairs

522
-

General running expenditure

2,005
1,681

Box office productions

10,553
6,278

Bar purchases and catering

16,748
5,815

Independent examination and payroll

1,980
1,800

Legal and professional fees

1,112
467
75,384
55,869
75,384
55,869
9
Trustees
None of the Trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year.
DONCASTER LITTLE THEATRE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
- 12 -
10
Employees

The average monthly number of employees during the year was:

2023
2022
Number
Number
5
6
There were no employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000.
11
Taxation

The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxationof Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects.

12
Tangible fixed assets
Plant and equipment
£
Cost
At 1 April 2022
36,886
Additions
2,130
At 31 March 2023
39,016
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 April 2022
32,127
Depreciation charged in the year
1,722
At 31 March 2023
33,849
Carrying amount
At 31 March 2023
5,167
At 31 March 2022
4,759
13
Stocks
2023
2022
£
£
Finished goods and goods for resale
1,369
2,588
DONCASTER LITTLE THEATRE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
- 13 -
14
Debtors
2023
2022
Amounts falling due within one year:
£
£
Trade debtors
9,506
5,612
Prepayments and accrued income
69
2,907
9,575
8,519
15
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2023
2022
Notes
£
£
Deferred income
16
2,813
-
Trade creditors
2,739
1,800
5,552
1,800
16
Deferred income
2023
2022
£
£
Other deferred income
2,813
-

Deferred income is included in the financial statements as follows:

2023
2022
£
£
Deferred income is included within:
Current liabilities
2,813
-
Movements in the year:
Warning! Figures do not agree by:
2,813
-
17
Related party transactions

There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2022 - none).

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