REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: |
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: |
Trustees' Report and |
Unaudited Financial Statements |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
for |
Old Meeting House Trust |
REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: |
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: |
Trustees' Report and |
Unaudited Financial Statements |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
for |
Old Meeting House Trust |
Old Meeting House Trust |
Contents of the Financial Statements |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
Page |
Trustees' Report | 1 | to | 8 |
Independent Examiner's Report | 9 |
Statement of Financial Activities | 10 |
Balance Sheet | 11 | to | 12 |
Notes to the Financial Statements | 13 | to | 22 |
Old Meeting House Trust (Registered number: 03200475) |
Trustees' Report |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
The Trustees, who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024. The Trustees have adopted the provisions of 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 2015). |
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES |
Objectives and aims |
The objects of the Charity as set out in its Memorandum and Articles of Association are to foster, promote and to increase amongst the general public the knowledge and appreciation of art, music and literature and for those purposes to promote and to organise art exhibitions, music recitals and concerts, poetry recitals and readings, lectures and films upon artistic, musical and literary subjects and such other activities as are calculated to assist in the attainment of the said purposes". |
These objects are pursued through the development and operation of Helmsley Arts Centre in Helmsley, North Yorkshire. |
Public benefit |
Our aims and objectives are reviewed each year, taking into account the success of each of our activities and the benefits they have brought to the people we aim to reach. The review ensures we remain focused on our aims, objectives and activities, and achieve our stated purpose. We have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing our aims and objectives and in planning future activities. |
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE |
Management |
Helmsley Arts Centre remains a strong institution and a much-loved hub of creative activity and entertainment for the rural district of northern Ryedale and beyond. |
The trustees wish to pay tribute to the excellent overall management and leadership provided by Natasha Jones as artistic director and the meticulous administration and cost control exercised by Karen Gosney as general manager and finance officer. Natasha and Karen are very well supported by other part-time paid staff in marketing, box office, housekeeping, technical roles, and by our dedicated volunteers - whose multiple contribution to the life of the Arts Centres are organised with skill and patience by Sarah Barker as Volunteer Co-ordinator. Trustee sub-committees for HR and finance also play their proper part in HAC's management. |
Old Meeting House Trust (Registered number: 03200475) |
Trustees' Report |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE |
Events and Programming |
1812 Theatre Company |
The 1812's production for April 2023 was Cider with Rosie by Laurie Lee, adapted by James Roose-Evans. The production welcomed a total of 18 cast members, 4 of whom were new to 1812. Unfortunately, several cases of Covid-19 in the cast meant that following the first two nights in April, the latter two performances were postponed until the end of May. Despite the disturbance, 268 tickets were sold with an income of £3,213 and the profit was £1,508, which in light of the disruption to cast, crew and audience, was a good result. |
The July production was a new venture for the 1812, undertaking a musical, with live band. Jekyll & Hyde the Musical was directed by Julie Lomas with John Atkin as musical director. The production included a cast of 24, including 4 senior members of the 1812 Youth Theatre, a crew of over 20 and 4 professional musicians, including the MD. The scale of the production was a big undertaking for 1812 and with high costs, due to musicians and the requirement for two technicians to run the show, meant that unfortunately the costs outweighed the income resulting in a loss of £1,246. Another impact on costs was the requirement to remove some of the auditorium seating to allow for the band to have space to perform, this resulted in a loss of potential ticket income. The production was supported by Yorkshire Music Future Fund (£500) and The Gillham Charitable trust (£1,000) which generated a final profit to £254. In evaluating the production it was agreed that budgets should be strictly followed by the Director to ensure that costs never exceed income and aim ideally, to remain at or below 50% of income. Artistically, however, the production was a huge success with a strong cast and the addition of live musicians elevating the whole production. A total audience of 478 saw the production and returned positive feedback with several requests for more musicals from 1812. |
The Kitchen Sink by Tom Wells was the October production, with 1812 member Sarah Barker in a debut director role. This was a lesser known play but the cast of 5 (including HAC's technical manager, James Bentley) produced an enjoyable performance reaching a total audience of 184. Due to low production costs of £656 the show resulted in an impressive profit of £1,518. |
The 1812 Pantomime for 2023 was Cinderella by Tom Whalley, directed by Helena Fox, stage managed by Erica Zarb and choreographed by Michaela Edens. The panto ran for 10 performances with a total cast of 45 children, young people and adults (U14's being split into two teams) and a crew of 25 people. Tickets sales increased again with a total audience of 1350 and an impressive income of £18,659 compared to £17,855 income in 2022.. The budget was carefully monitored and with volunteer support for costume, set and props costs totalled £8,529. Despite this being an increase of £1,477 compared to the previous year's costs the increased income meant a strong profit of £10,130. The popularity of the 1812 Pantomime continues to grow with audiences booking well in advance and matinees selling out early in the season. The team required to produce the Panto grows as the scale and expectations increase. We must ensure that we are welcoming new team members to the production side to allow for a sharing of roles and responsibilities and to avoid losing members due to the huge commitment required. |
The February production for 1812 was Scary Bikers by John Godber, a two-hander with Kate Cawte and John Lister. A popular title and playwright supported by strong marketing saw strong sales and a total audience of 316 with £3,819 income. The costs of the production were low and with excellent budget management from John Lister, resulted in just £830 of costs and a profit of £2,989. The production drew in new audiences with the pull of Godber and the cast/crew's marketing efforts hugely benefited the production. |
30 Years Celebrations |
The 30 year anniversary of the first performance at Helmsley Arts Centre was in May 2023 and included a variety of celebratory and fundraising events including 30th Anniversary Quiz, 30th Anniversary - On Stage!, Alright here for Helmsley - A reflection on a rural branch line , Ryedale Writers - 30 years sharing, Jill Thomas School of Ballet Open Day, 30th Anniversary HAC Singers & Calder Valley Voices , The Art of Brass - Kirkbymoorside Town Brass Band, 30th Anniversary Friday Morning Cafe, 30th Anniversary Grand Auction at Duncombe Park, a 30 Faces of HAC photography project with local photographer Gareth Jenkins. |
Old Meeting House Trust (Registered number: 03200475) |
Trustees' Report |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE |
1812 Youth Theatre |
March 2023 saw both group 3 and 4 of the 1812 Youth Theatre performing. Group 3 performed three shows of Alison Carr's Tuesday, an ensemble production. The group worked very well together in what was for many of them, their first solo production without the older YT group. A total of 102 people watched the production, majority cast family and friends, with an income of £656. Due to the extra rehearsals required for new cast members, the costs for the directing of the productions, with two YT leaders, increased to £995 resulting in a loss of £339. |
Group 4 produced Start Swimming by James Fritz, a play with a strong message about occupation, revolution and what the future holds for today's youth. The group excelled throughout the rehearsals and productions. Despite relatively low audience, due to the unknown title and audience age restrictions the production was seen by 80 people over 3 shows giving an income of £558. Again, due to extra rehearsals the costs for the directing of the productions, with two YT leaders meant the production made a small loss of £133. |
Touring Theatre |
A varied programme of touring theatre was booked for this year including welcoming back outdoor theatre company The Three Inch Fools, who performed As You Like It at Helmsley Walled Garden in June 2023, to an audience of 228 people, generating a ticket income of £1,812. With support from volunteer hosts to keep costs down at £688 the resulting profit was £1,124, our highest profit for touring theatre. Calf to Cow Theatre brought their production of The Jabberwocky & Other nonsense to Helmsley Walled Garden in August 2023. An unknown company but popular title saw a strong family audience of 125 people and a ticket income of £1,571. As with many family theatre productions, after £1,140 of costs the profit was £431. However, the production generated excellent feedback and the cross generations of audience was a very positive factor. |
Jack Dean & Company brought their gig theatre production of Hero & Leander to Helmsley Walled Garden in July 2023 and despite excellent marketing materials, the age demographic for this production was much lower than our average audience, and the style of gig theatre a relatively new concept to many resulting in disappointing sales of 67 and ticket income of £1,068. With a high cost of the production at £1,800, this was a risk that unfortunately didn't pay off with a loss of £732. |
Unfortunately sales for touring theatre at HAC were low overall despite well known titles like Sense & Sensibility and Blood Brothers, and a variety of local and national theatre companies. Returning company Dyad Productions saw a positive audience figure of 135 for their production of A Christmas Carol but due to the high cost of Dyad production resulted in a very small profit of just £73. |
Life and Limb puppets welcomed a audience of 60 for their production of Dragon in October, but the high production costs meant a loss of £739. It was hoped the production would draw in a larger audience due to the popularity of the company but the marketing from the company was poor and this didn't help our promotions. |
York Theatre CIC Next Door But One brought their own production, Operation Hummingbird to HAC in June and worked with the 1812 Theatre Company on acting workshops. Sales were low but the relationship between HAC and NDB1 is one we hope to build on in the future. |
Music |
The music programme for this year was increased again following strong sales in the previous year. We welcomed back popular artists like Snake Davis, The Tannahill Weavers, The Budapest Cafe Orchestra, Remi Harris and Marie Ni Chathasaig & Chris Newman, and welcomed many new artists including Alligator Gumbo, Ben Beattie, Strictly Smokin' Big Band and Alchemy Live. Two recognisable names Kiki Dee and Chris Difford elevated the quality of the music programme and Kiki's gig in June raised a profit of £822. Having four gigs from Snake Davis in this period boosted sales with an average audience of 132 and profit of £755 per performance. Our highest profit came from The Tannahill Weavers who with relatively low costs and good sales produced a profit of £1,071. Tribute and cover bands remain popular bringing in new audiences from further afield. Man of The World; Gary Stewart's Paul Simon, Strictly Smokin Big Band, Alchemy Live all sold well and made a good profit. |
Old Meeting House Trust (Registered number: 03200475) |
Trustees' Report |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE |
Large bands popularity seems to be increasing at HAC and consequently, we'll continue to programme more and build our music audiences and reputation as a gig venue in North Yorkshire. Overall, audience figure rose from an average of 72 in the previous year to an average of 96 with tickets sales increasing from 1443 over 20 events to 2406 over 25 events. This produced an income of £38, 972 and a profit of £9,178 in comparison to £22,897 and £3,292 in the previous year. An excellent result for our music programme. |
The Classical music programme this year was again of exceptional standard with cellist Rafael Wallfisch and pianist Piers Lane drawing an audience of 82 for their concert in October. Lesser known group, Trio Arisonto, sold just 39 tickets for their concert in September but as younger classical musicians it's important for HAC to offer them the platform to perform and to increase our younger classical audience. We welcomed back the ever popular York Guildhall Orchestra in November with a concert as a tribute to Jean Kershaw: the concert sold out and further cemented our relationship with the YGO. Due to the high costs of classical music programming, our maximum seating capacity and for the calibre of artists we welcome, the total costs outweighed the income resulting in a loss of £2,271. However, our private sponsors for the classical programme more than covered this loss, ensuring that we can continue to welcome high quality national and international classical musicians to HAC. |
Comedy & Talks |
For the comedy programme this year we welcomed back Alfie Moore, Jo Caulfield and Justin Moorhouse, as well as welcoming new to HAC comedian Tom Stade. All sold 100 tickets or more with profits between £554-£744. A good result for comedy compared to the previous year. |
For talks this year we welcomed Henry Blofeld who again saw a good audience and our highest profit for a talk of £876. We also welcomed back David Harper who sold only 34 tickets and seems to have lost popularity, and photographer Sean Tucker for a talk on his book The Meaning in the Making, sales only reached 38 despite his huge online following but it was beneficial to welcome him to HAC as a local creative with an international following. Alongside comedy and talks we also welcome poet Henry Normal to HAC with his show Collected Poem and Other Landfill. The show had excellent feedback from the audience of 69 and made a profit of 342. |
Talks, Comedy, Spoken word and Poetry audience average increased from 39 to 76 this year with an income increase of over £7,200 and profit increase of £3,488 compared to the previous year for the same number of events (10). |
Workshops |
A slight reduction in workshop programming from 14 to 11 (including HAC singers and Harminis) actually improved the average audience figure and saw an increase in income with relatively similar costs as the previous year, resulting in an increase in profit from £815 to £1,385. |
The variety of workshops programmed offered singing, writing, craft, arts, drama and early years music for our audiences with the children's art workshops being very popular. |
Cinema |
A total of 42 films were shown this year with 2,278 tickets sold and a profit of £5,328. The previous year, unfortunately the average audience number reduced from 64 to 53 resulting in lower income and profit. Cinema programming has been incredibly difficult with the impact of Covid-19 on the industry, the writers' strike and often very limited titles available in our time frame of affordability before they are released to home screening services. Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime and other at home screening services are competition for our cinema audience who can pay as little as £1.99 to screen a film from home which we are showing at HAC at a similar time. We screen six weeks after the UK release date to make the guarantee and percentage we are charged affordable but this will be reviewed for future programming. |
Old Meeting House Trust (Registered number: 03200475) |
Trustees' Report |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE |
Screenings and Live Screenings |
Screening titles on offer from National Theatre were slightly reduced this year but overall our average audience number increased very slightly. Unfortunately, tickets sales were lower resulting in lower income and profit. With screenings we are heavily reliant on the actors and directors appealing to our audiences and just one production with a popular actor can hugely increase ticket sales. Following the cancellation of the Bolshoi Ballet screenings we trialled a screening of Giselle from the Dutch National Ballet. The screening sold 50 tickets and made a modest profit of just over £300, expanding our programme to include dance. |
Classes/Groups |
Harminis music group continued to provide music sessions for parents and early years age children on Friday mornings during term time with participant numbers being between 90-100% capacity across the year. HAC Choir, rebranded as HAC Singers now has a steady number of participants under the leadership of Jessa Liversidge and the group averages at 19 members per term. Our Ryedale Writers and 1812 Theatre Company continue to meet throughout the year alongside classes of ballet, yoga, creative connections - art sessions, Zumba and Pilates. |
Ryedale District Council |
The Ryedale District Council economy commission 2023/2024 commission welcomed four new Young Arts Leaders to HAC who are still working towards completing their Gold Arts Awards and has so far seen two of the participants directing their own productions at HAC and another participant working with a local photographer. |
Old Meeting House Trust (Registered number: 03200475) |
Trustees' Report |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
FINANCIAL REVIEW |
Financial Review |
2023-24 was a relatively satisfactory year for the Trust in trading terms. Although the net result shown in the Statement of Financial Activities was a loss of £20,934, this was less than the non-cash depreciation charge of £21,506 - thereby indicating a breakeven year in cash terms, which is a significant achievement for a charitable enterprise whose trading income is tightly constrained both by limited resources and a small and scattered rural catchment population. |
This net result is also a substantial improvement on the £57,489 loss in 2022-23. Underlying it were large increases in live performance ticket sales (£124,908 vs £93,700), bar takings (£30,516 vs £22,817) and hire income (£19,197 vs £15,403). |
Taken together, these figures indicate a return to pre-pandemic levels of activity (or better) in the life of the Arts Centre. We note however that cinema and live screenings, previously fruitful cash generators, have become a diminishing source of revenue (£23,423 vs £24,982, the downtrend continuing into the new financial year) as commented upon above. |
The costs of the live performance programme also rose (£119,347 vs £96,061) but the net contribution from the live programme was positive. Despite higher inflation, overhead costs for 2023-24 remained well under control, with a small reduction in 'salaries and subcontractors' (£87,051 vs £90,907). |
Our small management and staff team do excellent work in programming, marketing and maintenance of the Arts Centre. The good trading result for the year is a tribute to their dedicated efforts. Our artistic director constantly reviews the balance of programme content, the use of social media and other marketing channels, and the terms on which we contract with performers, with a view to maximising income while maintaining an attractive and varied artistic profile |
Fundraising - which is or should be largely a trustee responsibility - was a weaker element of our financial performance this year (£73,219 vs £85,467). A healthier annual fundraising total, matching the long term average for OMHT, would be £90-100,000, and it will never be the case that we are able to survive without continuous fundraising efforts to fill the gap between trading income and total operating costs. We receive annual support from a number of locally connected private charitable trusts and generous personal benefactors, but we have not received significant new public funding for general purposes in this period and our lack of resources for time-consuming grant applications is a matter of concern. |
Turning to the balance sheet, trustees are also acutely aware of the diminution of our investments (£22,841 vs £30,903) which stand at a very reduced level compared to earlier years when we held investments of £75,000-plus as an inner reserve against the possibility of closure or extended business interruption. This erosion reflects recent capital expenditures (chiefly the auditorium and technical refurbishment) and the net loss for 2022-23. |
Further withdrawals from the investment account post the balance sheet date mean we now effectively have no reserves, which is not a healthy position for a small charity and which imposes for the time being very strict disciplines in management of cash. We are however aware of a legacy, currently awaiting grant of probate, which we hope will in due course provide a transformative benefaction. |
Overall, OMHT registered an encouraging trading performance in 2023-24 combined with strong cost control but offset by weaker fundraising. We have short-term but manageable cash flow concerns for the remainder of calendar 2024. But the Arts Centre is busy on all fronts and, with the legacy mentioned above in prospect, we remain confident for the future. |
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT |
Governance |
The Charity is a charitable trust which operates under the terms of its Memorandum and Articles of Association. |
Old Meeting House Trust (Registered number: 03200475) |
Trustees' Report |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT |
Appointment of Trustees |
The Trustees (except those nominated by North Yorkshire Council and Helmsley Town Council) are appointed at the annual general meeting for a fixed period of three years by nomination by a voting member or recommendation by the existing Trustees, followed by a vote of agreement by all voting members present. Trustees may serve a second three-year term if duly re-appointed at the annual general meeting, and a further term or terms, likewise if duly re-appointed, if their contribution to the work and governance of the Charity is considered by their fellow Trustees to be exceptional. |
The Trustees are the directors of the company. |
Organisation |
The governing body of the Trust is the Board of Trustees. It is responsible for ensuring that the objectives of the Charity are effectively achieved in the activities of the Helmsley Arts Centre. For that purpose the Board employs an Artistic Director to be responsible to it for managing the operation, activities and development of the Centre and to lead a team responsible to her of part-time paid and volunteer administrative, marketing, technical and programming staff. This team is supported by a large body of volunteers. The Friends of Helmsley Arts Centre are loyal supporters who pay an annual subscription. |
Trustee induction and training |
New Trustees are invited to observe business conducted at a meeting and are issued with details regarding the Charity's policies, constitution and procedures, and the duties and responsibilities of Trustees. Further improvements to trustee induction and training are currently being implemented. |
Risk management |
The Trustees recognise that effective risk management is essential for good governance and they continually monitor the exposure to major risks by personal involvement in the running of the Trust, both financially and practically. The major risks to which the Charity is exposed have been identified and systems established to mitigate those risks. Trustees are acutely aware of the financial risks highlighted above and of the continuing need for fundraising to close the gap between trading income and running costs. |
At the time of preparing this report (August 2024) Trustees have embarked upon an overall review of the charity's policies and procedures, in particular a Risk Management Policy with related Risk Register. It is intended to include risk and a review of the Risk register as an agenda item at the beginning of board meetings. |
A Health and Safety Review is completed annually by Lighthouse, a specialist company. |
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS |
Registered Company number |
Registered Charity number |
Registered office |
Old Meeting House Trust (Registered number: 03200475) |
Trustees' Report |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
Trustees |
Company Secretary |
Independent Examiner |
Hardcastle France |
Chartered Accountants |
30 Yorkersgate |
Malton |
North Yorkshire |
YO17 7AW |
Advisors |
Accountants: | Hardcastle France |
Chartered Accountants |
30 Yorkersgate |
Malton YO17 7AW |
Bankers: | Barclays Bank Plc |
41 Market Place |
Pickering |
YO18 7AE |
Solicitors: | Rollits |
Forsyth House |
Alpha Court, Monks Cross Drive |
Huntington |
York YO32 9WN |
CONCLUSION |
All in all, we are pleased to have adjusted once more so effectively to the increasing economic pressures that beset us and have thus been able to maintain and even increase the wide range and high standard of the activities we promote. |
Approved by order of the board of trustees on |
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of |
Old Meeting House Trust |
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Old Meeting House Trust ('the Company') |
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2024. |
Responsibilities and basis of report |
As the charity's trustees of the 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 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 your charity'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 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 member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies. |
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: |
1. | accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by Section 386 of the 2006 Act; or |
2. | the accounts do not accord with those records; or |
3. | the accounts 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 accounts 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 accounts to be reached. |
Laura Dawson ACA CTA FMAAT |
Hardcastle France |
Chartered Accountants |
30 Yorkersgate |
Malton |
North Yorkshire |
YO17 7AW |
6 September 2024 |
Old Meeting House Trust |
Statement of Financial Activities |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
2024 | 2023 |
Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total |
funds | funds | funds | funds |
Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ |
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM |
Donations and legacies |
Charitable activities |
Live performance ticket sales | 124,908 | - | 124,908 | 93,700 |
Cinema/live screening ticket sales | 23,423 | - | 23,423 | 24,982 |
Subscriptions | 13,738 | - | 13,738 | 14,395 |
Bar takings | 30,516 | - | 30,516 | 22,817 |
Cafe takings | 5,308 | - | 5,308 | 5,373 |
Rent and room hire | 19,197 | - | 19,197 | 15,403 |
Exhibition commission | 2,720 | - | 2,720 | 911 |
Sundry income | 326 | - | 326 | 218 |
Other trading activities | 2 |
Investment income | 3 |
Total |
EXPENDITURE ON |
Fundraising, publicity and marketing |
Charitable activities |
Other |
Total |
Net gains/(losses) on investments | ( |
) |
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) |
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS |
Total funds brought forward |
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 476,097 |
Old Meeting House Trust (Registered number: 03200475) |
Balance Sheet |
31 March 2024 |
2024 | 2023 |
Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total |
funds | funds | funds | funds |
Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ |
FIXED ASSETS |
Tangible assets | 9 |
CURRENT ASSETS |
Stocks | 10 |
Debtors | 11 |
Investments | 12 |
Cash at bank and in hand |
CREDITORS |
Amounts falling due within one year | 13 | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) |
NET CURRENT ASSETS |
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES |
NET ASSETS |
FUNDS | 15 |
Unrestricted funds | 117,954 |
Restricted funds | 358,143 |
TOTAL FUNDS | 476,097 |
The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 March 2024. |
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. |
The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for |
(a) | ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and |
(b) | preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company. |
Old Meeting House Trust (Registered number: 03200475) |
Balance Sheet - continued |
31 March 2024 |
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime. |
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on |
Old Meeting House Trust |
Notes to the Financial Statements |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
1. | ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
Basis of preparing the financial statements |
The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) '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)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. |
Income |
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. |
Expenditure |
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, 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 accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. |
Tangible fixed assets |
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life. |
Improvements to property | - |
Plant and machinery | - |
Stocks |
Stocks are valued at the lower of cost or net realisable value, after making due allowance for obsolete and slow moving items. |
Taxation |
The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities. |
Fund accounting |
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees. |
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes. |
Designated funds represent unrestricted funds raised and set aside by the Trustees for specific purposes. |
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements. |
Old Meeting House Trust |
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
2. | OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES |
2024 | 2023 |
£ | £ |
Fundraising |
100 Club lottery | 2,148 | 2,121 |
3. | INVESTMENT INCOME |
2024 | 2023 |
£ | £ |
Deposit account interest |
4. | NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) |
Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting): |
2024 | 2023 |
£ | £ |
Depreciation - owned assets |
5. | TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS |
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2024 nor for the year ended 31 March 2023. |
Trustees' expenses |
Trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2024 totalled £nil (2023: £nil). |
6. | STAFF COSTS |
The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows: |
2024 | 2023 |
Management and administration | 3 | 3 |
Box office | 2 | 3 |
Artistic director | 1 | 1 |
Old Meeting House Trust |
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
7. | COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES |
Unrestricted | Restricted | Total |
funds | funds | funds |
£ | £ | £ |
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM |
Donations and legacies |
Charitable activities |
Live performance ticket sales | 93,700 | - | 93,700 |
Cinema/live screening ticket sales | 24,982 | - | 24,982 |
Subscriptions | 14,395 | - | 14,395 |
Bar takings | 22,817 | - | 22,817 |
Cafe takings | 5,373 | - | 5,373 |
Rent and room hire | 15,403 | - | 15,403 |
Exhibition commission | 911 | - | 911 |
Sundry income | 218 | - | 218 |
Other trading activities |
Investment income |
Total |
EXPENDITURE ON |
Fundraising, publicity and marketing |
Charitable activities |
2,395 | - |
Other |
Total |
Net gains/(losses) on investments | ( |
) | ( |
) |
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) |
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS |
Total funds brought forward | 160,525 | 373,061 |
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 117,954 | 358,143 | 476,097 |
Old Meeting House Trust |
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
8. | INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REMUNERATION |
The Independent Examiner's fee for the year was £4,005 (2023: £3,815). |
9. | TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS |
Improvements |
to | Plant and |
property | machinery | Totals |
£ | £ | £ |
COST |
At 1 April 2023 |
Additions |
At 31 March 2024 |
DEPRECIATION |
At 1 April 2023 |
Charge for year |
At 31 March 2024 |
NET BOOK VALUE |
At 31 March 2024 |
At 31 March 2023 |
10. | STOCKS |
2024 | 2023 |
£ | £ |
Stocks |
11. | DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR |
2024 | 2023 |
£ | £ |
Trade debtors |
12. | CURRENT ASSET INVESTMENTS |
2024 | 2023 |
£ | £ |
Unlisted investments | 22,841 | 30,903 |
Investments are stated at market value at the Balance Sheet date and are represented by COIF Charities Investment Fund income units. |
Old Meeting House Trust |
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
13. | CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR |
2024 | 2023 |
£ | £ |
Hire purchase (see note 14) | - | 150 |
Trade creditors |
14. | LEASING AGREEMENTS |
Minimum lease payments fall due as follows: |
Hire purchase contracts |
2024 | 2023 |
£ | £ |
Net obligations repayable: |
Within one year | - | 150 |
15. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS |
Net |
movement | At |
At 1.4.23 | in funds | 31.3.24 |
£ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
General fund | 27,699 | (12,196 | ) | 15,503 |
Designated 1812 reserve | 90,255 | 6,180 | 96,435 |
(6,016 | ) |
Restricted funds |
Refurbishment programme | 341,096 | (11,871 | ) | 329,225 |
Auditorium project | 16,080 | (2,080 | ) | 14,000 |
Studio Bar | 90 | (90 | ) | - |
Light Up 1812 Match Funded Project | 877 | (877 | ) | - |
(14,918 | ) |
TOTAL FUNDS | (20,934 | ) | 455,163 |
Old Meeting House Trust |
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
15. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued |
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: |
Incoming | Resources | Gains and | Movement |
resources | expended | losses | in funds |
£ | £ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
General fund | 273,993 | (288,127 | ) | 1,938 | (12,196 | ) |
Designated 1812 reserve | 18,306 | (12,126 | ) | - | 6,180 |
( |
) | (6,016 | ) |
Restricted funds |
Refurbishment programme | - | (11,871 | ) | - | (11,871 | ) |
RDC creative commission | 1,208 | (1,208 | ) | - | - |
Auditorium project | - | (2,080 | ) | - | (2,080 | ) |
Studio Bar | - | (90 | ) | - | (90 | ) |
Classical music events | 4,200 | (4,200 | ) | - | - |
Light Up 1812 Match Funded Project | - | (877 | ) | - | (877 | ) |
Co-Op Community Fund |
521 | (521 | ) | - | - |
RDC Young Arts Leaders | 3,720 | (3,720 | ) | - | - |
Yorkshire Music Future Fund | 500 | (500 | ) | - | - |
The Gillham Charitable Trust | 1,000 | (1,000 | ) | - | - |
NYCC Helmsley Arts Collective | 1,000 | (1,000 | ) | - | - |
NYCC Creative Connections | 1,017 | (1,017 | ) | - | - |
( |
) | (14,918 | ) |
TOTAL FUNDS | ( |
) | (20,934 | ) |
Old Meeting House Trust |
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
15. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued |
Comparatives for movement in funds |
Net | Transfers |
movement | between | At |
At 1.4.22 | in funds | funds | 31.3.23 |
£ | £ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
General fund | 44,979 | (52,280 | ) | 35,000 | 27,699 |
Designated 1812 reserve | 80,546 | 9,709 | - | 90,255 |
Designated financial reserve from Morley bequest |
35,000 |
- |
(35,000 |
) |
- |
160,525 | (42,571 | ) | - | 117,954 |
Restricted funds |
Refurbishment programme | 352,967 | (11,871 | ) | - | 341,096 |
Auditorium project | 18,160 | (2,080 | ) | - | 16,080 |
Studio Bar | 180 | (90 | ) | - | 90 |
Light Up 1812 Match Funded Project | 1,754 | (877 | ) | - | 877 |
373,061 | (14,918 | ) | - | 358,143 |
TOTAL FUNDS | 533,586 | (57,489 | ) | - | 476,097 |
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: |
Incoming | Resources | Gains and | Movement |
resources | expended | losses | in funds |
£ | £ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
General fund | 241,483 | (290,317 | ) | (3,446 | ) | (52,280 | ) |
Designated 1812 reserve | 15,936 | (6,227 | ) | - | 9,709 |
257,419 | (296,544 | ) | (3,446 | ) | (42,571 | ) |
Restricted funds |
Refurbishment programme | - | (11,871 | ) | - | (11,871 | ) |
RDC creative commission | 676 | (676 | ) | - | - |
Auditorium project | - | (2,080 | ) | - | (2,080 | ) |
Studio Bar | - | (90 | ) | - | (90 | ) |
Classical music events | 6,610 | (6,610 | ) | - | - |
Light Up 1812 Match Funded Project | 3,434 | (4,311 | ) | - | (877 | ) |
Co-Op Community Fund |
208 | (208 | ) | - | - |
RDC Young Arts Leaders | 22 | (22 | ) | - | - |
10,950 | (25,868 | ) | - | (14,918 | ) |
TOTAL FUNDS | 268,369 | (322,412 | ) | (3,446 | ) | (57,489 | ) |
Old Meeting House Trust |
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
15. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued |
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows: |
Net | Transfers |
movement | between | At |
At 1.4.22 | in funds | funds | 31.3.24 |
£ | £ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
General fund | 44,979 | (64,476 | ) | 35,000 | 15,503 |
Designated 1812 reserve | 80,546 | 15,889 | - | 96,435 |
Designated financial reserve from Morley bequest |
35,000 |
- |
(35,000 |
) |
- |
160,525 | (48,587 | ) | - | 111,938 |
Restricted funds |
Refurbishment programme | 352,967 | (23,742 | ) | - | 329,225 |
Auditorium project | 18,160 | (4,160 | ) | - | 14,000 |
Studio Bar | 180 | (180 | ) | - | - |
Light Up 1812 Match Funded Project | 1,754 | (1,754 | ) | - | - |
373,061 | (29,836 | ) | - | 343,225 |
TOTAL FUNDS | 533,586 | (78,423 | ) | - | 455,163 |
Old Meeting House Trust |
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
15. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued |
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: |
Incoming | Resources | Gains and | Movement |
resources | expended | losses | in funds |
£ | £ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
General fund | 515,476 | (578,444 | ) | (1,508 | ) | (64,476 | ) |
Designated 1812 reserve | 34,242 | (18,353 | ) | - | 15,889 |
549,718 | (596,797 | ) | (1,508 | ) | (48,587 | ) |
Restricted funds |
Refurbishment programme | - | (23,742 | ) | - | (23,742 | ) |
RDC creative commission | 1,884 | (1,884 | ) | - | - |
Auditorium project | - | (4,160 | ) | - | (4,160 | ) |
Studio Bar | - | (180 | ) | - | (180 | ) |
Classical music events | 10,810 | (10,810 | ) | - | - |
Light Up 1812 Match Funded Project | 3,434 | (5,188 | ) | - | (1,754 | ) |
Co-Op Community Fund |
729 | (729 | ) | - | - |
RDC Young Arts Leaders | 3,742 | (3,742 | ) | - | - |
Yorkshire Music Future Fund | 500 | (500 | ) | - | - |
The Gillham Charitable Trust | 1,000 | (1,000 | ) | - | - |
NYCC Helmsley Arts Collective | 1,000 | (1,000 | ) | - | - |
NYCC Creative Connections | 1,017 | (1,017 | ) | - | - |
24,116 | (53,952 | ) | - | (29,836 | ) |
TOTAL FUNDS | 573,834 | (650,749 | ) | (1,508 | ) | (78,423 | ) |
Restricted funds |
The purpose of the restricted funds are as follows; |
Refurbishment programme |
This fund relates to specific grants and donations used to refurbish the Old Meeting House, the major grant being a lottery grant in 1995/96 of £275,000. The balance will fund future depreciation of the refurbishments which were originally purchased by this fund. |
Piano fund |
This fund relates to specific grants and donations used to purchase a Steinway A piano. The balance will fund future depreciation of the piano. |
Fire fund |
This fund relates to donations used to cover fire damage costs. The balance will fund future depreciation of fixed assets purchased by the fire appeal fund and future fire damage costs. |
Auditorium Project |
This fund relates to grants used for the auditorium project. The balance will fund future depreciation of fixed assets purchased by the grant. |
Studio Bar |
Old Meeting House Trust |
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 |
15. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued |
This fund relates to donations for the studio bar refurbishment. The balance will fund future depreciation of fixed assets purchased by the donation. |
Anonymous Classical Music Events |
This donation was received to pay towards the cost of classical music event. |
Light Up 1812 Match Funded Project |
This fund relates to grants received for the Light Up 1812 project . The balance will fund future depreciation of fixed assets purchased by the grant. |
RDC Young Art Leaders |
This donation was received to pay towards costs of the 'Young Art Leaders' project. |
Co-Op Community Fund |
This donation was received to pay towards costs of the Youth Theatre. |
NYCC |
Two grants were received towards 2023/24. The first was to be used for the 'Helmsley Arts Collective' and the second for 'Creative Connections'. |
The Gillham Charitable Trust and Yorkshire Music Future Fund |
These donations were received to pay towards the cost of the Jekyll and Hyde performance. |
16. | RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES |
The following donations were made by Trustees to the charity during the year: |
Helen Sheard | £5,428 |
Jake Duncombe Helmsley Estate | £1,000 |
John Lane | £17 |
Rhys Jones | £200 |
Jean Sheridan | £474 |
Martin Vander Weyer | £11,500 |
17. | ULTIMATE CONTROLLING PARTY |
Due to the diverse nature of the membership, no one member has control over the company. |