Highlights Productions Charity Accounts

COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 4646007

CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 1100920

Highlights Productions

Unaudited Financial Statements

For the Year Ending

31 March 2026

Highlights Productions

Financial Statements

Year Ended 31 March 2026

	Page

Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report)	1

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees	6

Statement of Financial Activities (Including Income and Expenditure Account)	7

Statement of Financial Position	8

Notes to the Financial Statements	9

Highlights Productions

Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report)

Year Ended 31 March 2026

The trustees, who are also the directors for the purposes of company law, present their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2026 .

Review of the Development, Activities and Achievements of the Charity

The financial year of 2025/2026 has been the second year of a 3-year National Portfolio agreement with the Arts Council of England (ACE), which has been extended to April 2027. In February, we submitted an application to extend this funding further to April 2028. The NPO agreement is awarded to Highlights (H) and Arts Out West (AOW) consortium, with H as the lead partner.

Local authority funding from Westmorland & Furness Council (previously Cumbria & South Lakeland) and Northumberland County Council remained at a standstill amount.

After sustaining substantial losses in the previous FY, the team worked hard to consolidate its activities to reflect the grant income and its 'real terms' value in the economic climate. Considerable work was undertaken to build a new website, which incorporated the new online sales, venue and artist management system. Implementation of an early bird promotion period for the autumn 2025 season saw substantial momentum with sales of almost 700 performance event tickets, as well as increased interest and bookings for the Creative Highlights arts & crafts workshops. Moving all online tickets sales through the new system saw improvements to income receipts, as this is paid weekly rather than being retained by the online platform until after the event, aiding with organisational cashflow.

Whilst maintaining the highest standard of artist engaged for the performance programme, the overall spend of artist fees was capped at a level in line with our grant income, and with continued marketing and targeted online presence, average audience numbers were increased per performance to 48 (previously 36).

An in-depth analysis of Creative Highlights workshops was undertaken, suspending workshops for the spring 2026 season whilst this analysis was studied and a new vision created for events in the future.

The Highlights Participate programme has worked in primary and secondary schools across Cumbria, County Durham and Northumberland, delivering workshops from regional and national artists. During the year, the project delivered 57 workshops to over 900 pupils in 19 schools, using 19 artist/companies.

In spring 2025, Highlights took part in The Big Give Campaign fundraising event and received donations which were matched funded by corporate partners involved with the campaign giving total income of £3,800. This is being used to provide free school workshops in the three counties of operation, the first of which takes place in May 2026.

Achievements

We successfully programmed 117 performances during 2025 - 2026 .

We programmed a range of Creative Highlights workshops, working with regional artists across both seasons. 25 workshops were delivered. Over winter, we undertook a major analysis of this area of programme to ensure its sustainability in the future.

We continued to build our Participate programme, delivering workshops to primary and secondary schools and community groups.

We launched a new website and moved our ticketing to Eventotron, the online events management system which we use. We also trialled Early Bird pricing, which enabled us to increase the standard ticket price to our performances and encouraged audiences to book well in advance. This was a success and an initiative we are continuing.

Highlights continued to work as a lead partner in the Rural Touring Dance Initiative (RTDI). We work alongside The Place, National Rural Touring Forum, Take Art and Sonia Sabri Company to deliver this national programme, funded by Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and Arts Council England.

As part of the RTDI programme we hosted a residency for Ceyda Tanc Dane at The Threshing Barn, Northumberland which included a visit to Vindolanda on Hadrian's Wall and a sharing for members of the public and invited guests.

Highlights continued its artist development work alongside regional partners such as Northern Consortium of rural touring schemes, North East Exchange and Venues North as well as international partners Contact East Canada, Music PEI (Prince Edward Island) and Canadian Folk Music Awards. A new collaboration began with Sound Roots, England's leading organisation for providing career pathways into the folk, roots and acoustic music commercial industries.

Highlights were invited to attend Riddu Riddu Festival, Norway as part of their international delegate programme, initiating the early stages of a new international, artist development project.

Highlights continued its work with Investors in the Environment (IIE), an environmental management system, the aim being to reduce our carbon footprint, receiving the Silver Award.

Financial Review

Finances

The organisation made an overall surplus of £3,240 (2025 - deficit of £35,478). This was made up of a surplus of £6,705 on unrestricted funds and a deficit of £3,465 on restricted funds. When the overall surplus is added to the funds brought forward of £155,760 it gives closing funds of £159,000 of which £10,126 are for restricted funds. This leaves general reserves of £148,874 as at 31 March 2026. Of that, £2,083 relates to fixed assets and £20,000 has been earmarked for a number of projects and so so unrestricted free reserves at the end of the year were £126,791.

Reserves Policy

It is the policy of the charity to maintain unrestricted funds, which are the free reserves of the charity, at a level which provides sufficient funds to cover management, administration and support costs for six months. At the 31 March 2026 unrestricted reserves were above this minimum level.

Investment Policy

The Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Charity permit wide powers of investment. The Trustees should invest the money of the charity not immediately required for its purposes, in or upon such investments, securities or properties as may be thought fit.

Risk Assessment

The Trustees regularly review the risks to which the charity is exposed and consider the implication of those risks. The Trustees consider that the current volatile economic climate and its effects on possible audience numbers, together with the government financial reviews meaning local authority funding is less secure, as the most significant risks to the organisation. They are keeping these risks under continuous review.

Objectives and Activities

Objectives

The object of the charity is to advance the education of the public in the practice and appreciation of the arts, especially in the counties of Durham, Northumberland and Cumbria, through the provision of a rural arts service. The company aims to meets its objectives by presenting and promoting a programme of drama, dance, literature, music, storytelling and visual arts. It achieves these aims through:- - continuing support of volunteer promoters to enable them to provide a professional service in providing a programme of high quality events in their venues; - continuing choice of a wide range of performances to the highest quality - securing the necessary funds to put these objectives in place and ensure the sustainability of the programme.

Structure, Governance and Management

Governing Document

Highlights Productions is a company limited by guarantee and registered charity. The company was established under a Memorandum of Association, which established the objects and powers of the charitable company, and is governed under its Articles of Association.

Management Structure

Highlights Productions is governed by a Board of Trustees who are both Trustees under charity legislation and Directors under company legislation. At each Annual General Meeting (AGM) one third of the Trustees must retire from office and may be re-elected at that same meeting. The members to retire shall be those longest in office since their last election. Between AGM's the Trustees may co-opt persons onto the Board to fill any vacancies. All co-opted members must stand down at the AGM following their co-option and are similarly eligible for re-election. All new trustees are subject to an open and robust selection process and undergo an induction process once co-opted/elected.

Day to day management of the company is delegated to the Artistic Director (Chief Executive Officer), line-managing staff, and developing strategies and policies in consultation with, and subject to the approval of, the Board.

Governance

The Board of Trustees continued to meet regularly, with 50% of meetings in person and 50% online.

The Board started the year with seven members. Two members resigned during the year, and a further two new members were recruited and joined the board at the AGM in September. Cinzia Hardy remains Chair and Mary Ingham remains Vice Chair.

During the year, the Board reviewed several policies in accordance with the policy schedule, and continued to review the organisation's risk register at each meeting.

The Finance Committee met four times, 25% of which were in person, and is made up of three trustees and the General Manager.

During the year, an instant access savings account was opened with the Coop Bank to enable interest earnings on balances, based on the cyclical nature of our grant income and when this is needed to cover expenses. Transfers between the current and savings accounts with the Coop are managed day to day by the General Manager with oversight of the Artistic Director, to maintain an appropriate working fund level in the current account, whilst maximising the possible interest in the savings account. In In addition to the two Coop Bank accounts, we continue to use the two long term investment accounts, which hold the remainder of our reserves.

As a full skills audit was undertaken in the previous year, a lighter touch self-assessment was undertaken by trustees which allowed discussion of areas requiring development, areas where some had the ability to support the organisation and other trustees but also to aid future recruitment of new members.

Reference and Administrative Details

Registered charity name	Highlights Productions

Charity registration number	1100920

Company registration number	4646007

Principal office and registered	Market Cross Cabin
office	New Road
	Brough
	Kirkby Stephen
	Cumbria
	CA17 4AS

The Trustees

	Ms C Hardy
	Ms M Ingham
	Ms E Lugg	(Resigned 18 September 2025)
	Mr I F Gledhill
	Dr A C Jones
	Ms S A Seed
	Ms B A Abraham	(Appointed 18 September 2025)
	L M Amor	(Appointed 18 September 2025)

Company Secretary	Ms K Lynch

Independent Examiner	Jane Ascroft FCA MA (Cantab)
	Enterprise House
	Harmire Enterprise Park
	Barnard Castle
	County Durham
	DL12 8XT

Small Company Provisions

This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies entitled to the small companies exemption.

The trustees' annual report was approved on 16 October 2026 and signed on behalf of the board of trustees by:

Ms K Lynch

Charity Secretary

Highlights Productions

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Highlights Productions

Year Ended 31 March 2026

I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Highlights Productions ('the charity') for the year ended 31 March 2026.

Responsibilities and Basis of Report

As the trustees of the company (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 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 the 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 the charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), 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 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 accounts to be reached.

Jane Ascroft FCA MA (Cantab) Independent Examiner

Enterprise House Harmire Enterprise Park Barnard Castle County Durham DL12 8XT

16 October 2026

Highlights Productions

Statement of Financial Activities

(including income and expenditure account)

Year Ended 31 March 2026

	2026			2025
	Unrestricted funds	Restricted funds	Total funds	Total funds
Note	£	£	£	£

Income and endowments

Donations and legacies	5	159,523	118,727	278,250	266,539
Charitable activities	6	74,712	4,130	78,842	76,322
Investment income	7	3,960	–	3,960	4,257
		---------	---------	---------	---------
Total income		238,195	122,857	361,052	347,118
		---------	---------	---------	---------

Expenditure

Expenditure on charitable activities	8,9	231,490	126,322	357,812	382,596
		---------	---------	---------	---------
Total expenditure		231,490	126,322	357,812	382,596
		---------	---------	---------	---------

	---------	---------	---------	---------
Net income/(expenditure) and net movement in funds	6,705	( 3,465)	3,240	( 35,478)
	---------	---------	---------	---------

Reconciliation of funds

Total funds brought forward	142,169	13,591	155,760	191,238
	---------	---------	---------	---------
Total funds carried forward	148,874	10,126	159,000	155,760
	---------	---------	---------	---------

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

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

Highlights Productions

Statement of Financial Position

31 March 2026

	2026	2025
Note	£	£

Fixed Assets

Tangible fixed assets	15	2,083	2,778

Current Assets

Debtors	16	6,253	8,121
Cash at bank and in hand		179,884	163,581
		---------	---------
		186,137	171,702

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year	17	29,220	18,720
		---------	---------
Net Current Assets		156,917	152,982
		---------	---------
Total Assets Less Current Liabilities		159,000	155,760
		---------	---------
Net Assets		159,000	155,760
		---------	---------

Funds of the Charity

Restricted funds		10,126	13,591
Unrestricted funds		148,874	142,169
		---------	---------
Total charity funds	19	159,000	155,760
		---------	---------

For the year ending 31 March 2026 the charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

Directors' responsibilities:

- The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year in question in accordance with section 476 ;

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

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

These financial statements were approved by the board of trustees and authorised for issue on 16 October 2026 , and are signed on behalf of the board by:

Ms C Hardy
Trustee

Highlights Productions

Notes to the Financial Statements

Year Ended 31 March 2026

1. General Information

The charity is a public benefit entity and a private company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales and a registered charity in England and Wales. The address of the registered office is Market Cross Cabin, New Road, Brough, Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria, CA17 4AS.

2. Statement of Compliance

These financial statements have been prepared in compliance with FRS 102, 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland', the 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) (Charities SORP (FRS 102)) and the Companies Act 2006.

3. Accounting Policies

Basis of Preparation

The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis, as modified by the revaluation of certain financial assets and liabilities and investment properties measured at fair value through income or expenditure.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the entity.

Going Concern

There are no material uncertainties about the charity’s ability to continue.

Judgements and Key Sources of Estimation Uncertainty

The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported. These estimates and judgements are continually reviewed and are based on experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The trustees consider that there are no significant estimates or judgements affecting these financial statements.

Fund Accounting

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees to further any of the charity's purposes. Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the trustees for particular future project or commitment. Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure declared by the donor or through the terms of an appeal, and fall into one of two sub-classes: restricted income funds or endowment funds.

Income

All income is included in the statement of financial activities when the charity is entitled to the income, any performance related conditions attached have been met or are fully within the control of the charity, the income is considered probable and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income: Donations and legacy income is received by way of donations, legacies, grants and gifts and is included in full in the Statement of Financial Activities when receivable. Where legacies have been notified to the charity but the criteria for income recognition have not been met, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset and disclosed if material. Grants, where entitlement is not conditional on the delivery of a specific performance by the charity, are recognised when the charity becomes unconditionally entitled to the grant. Donated services and facilities are included at the value to the charity, being the amount the charity would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market. Investment income is included when receivable. Income from charitable trading activity is accounted for when earned. Income from grants, where related to performance and specific deliverables, are accounted for as the charity earns the right to consideration by its performance.

Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered, and is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates:

Costs of raising funds comprise the costs associated with attracting donations, grants and legacies and the costs of trading for fundraising purposes.

Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.

Other expenditure includes all expenditure that is neither related to raising funds for the charity nor part of its expenditure on charitable activities.

All costs are allocated between the expenditure categories of the SOFA on a basis designed to reflect the use of the resource. Costs relating to a particular activity are allocated directly, others are apportioned on an appropriate basis, as set out in the notes to the accounts.

Tangible Assets

Tangible assets are initially recorded at cost, and subsequently stated at cost less any accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. Any tangible assets carried at revalued amounts are recorded at the fair value at the date of revaluation less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses.

Depreciation

Depreciation is calculated so as to write off the cost or valuation of an asset, less its residual value, over the useful economic life of that asset as follows:

Fixtures and fittings	-	25% reducing balance
Equipment	-	Over 3 years reducing balance

Impairment of Fixed Assets

A review for indicators of impairment is carried out at each reporting date, with the recoverable amount being estimated where such indicators exist. Where the carrying value exceeds the recoverable amount, the asset is impaired accordingly. Prior impairments are also reviewed for possible reversal at each reporting date.

Financial Instruments

The charity only has financial assets and liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.

Defined Contribution Plans

Contributions to defined contribution plans are recognised as an expense in the period in which the related service is provided. Prepaid contributions are recognised as an asset to the extent that the prepayment will lead to a reduction in future payments or a cash refund. When contributions are not expected to be settled wholly within 12 months of the end of the reporting date in which the employees render the related service, the liability is measured on a discounted present value basis. The unwinding of the discount is recognised as an expense in the period in which it arises.

Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

Accrued income and tax recoverable is included at the best estimate of the amounts receivable at the balance sheet date.

Cash at Bank and in Hand

Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

Creditors

Creditors are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

Taxation

The company is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the company is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.

4. Limited by Guarantee

The liability of the members is limited. Every member of the charity undertakes to contribute to the assets of the charity in the event of the organisation being wound up while he or she is a member, or within one year after he or she ceases to be a member, for payment of the debts and liabilities of the charity contracted before he or she ceases to be a member, and of the costs, charges and expenses of winding up, and for the adjustment of the rights of the contributors among themselves, such amount as may be required, but not exceeding £1.

5. Donations and Legacies

Unrestricted Funds	Restricted Funds	Total Funds 2026
£	£	£

Donations

Donations	2,250	3,631	5,881
Gift aid	85	–	85
Promoters' membership fees	3,430	–	3,430
Reimbursed expenses	–	–	–

Grants

ACE NPO Funds	123,523	12,000	135,523
ACE NPO Funds (AOW)	–	43,040	43,040
Bishop Auckland Town Hall	–	700	700
Live Borders	–	750	750
Cheshire West & Chester Council	459	4,400	4,859
Durham County Council	–	700	700
Kirkgate Arts	–	3,400	3,400
Northumberland CC	8,748	–	8,748
Rural Arts	–	3,050	3,050
Westmorland & Furness Council	14,500	600	15,100
Spot On	–	750	750
Cumbria Community Foundation	–	–	–
CRTA	–	–	–
The Place	6,000	41,219	47,219
Other grants	528	4,487	5,015
	---------	---------	---------
	159,523	118,727	278,250
	---------	---------	---------

Unrestricted Funds	Restricted Funds	Total Funds 2025
£	£	£

Donations

Donations	983	–	983
Gift aid	–	–	–
Promoters' membership fees	3,325	–	3,325
Reimbursed expenses	800	–	800

Grants

ACE NPO Funds	120,694	12,000	132,694
ACE NPO Funds (AOW)	–	43,040	43,040
Bishop Auckland Town Hall	–	1,500	1,500
Live Borders	–	1,650	1,650
Cheshire West & Chester Council	–	1,300	1,300
Durham County Council	–	–	–
Kirkgate Arts	–	4,000	4,000
Northumberland CC	8,748	–	8,748
Rural Arts	–	4,275	4,275
Westmorland & Furness Council	14,500	600	15,100
Spot On	–	1,350	1,350
Cumbria Community Foundation	–	1,000	1,000
CRTA	–	1,600	1,600
The Place	6,000	38,215	44,215
Other grants	959	–	959
	---------	---------	---------
	156,009	110,530	266,539
	---------	---------	---------

6. Charitable Activities

	Unrestricted Funds	Restricted Funds	Total Funds 2026
	£	£	£
Workshop income	4,890	4,130	9,020
Ticket sales	69,822	–	69,822
	--------	-------	--------
	74,712	4,130	78,842
	--------	-------	--------

	Unrestricted Funds	Restricted Funds	Total Funds 2025
	£	£	£
Workshop income	6,177	–	6,177
Ticket sales	70,145	–	70,145
	--------	----	--------
	76,322	–	76,322
	--------	----	--------

7. Investment Income

	Unrestricted Funds	Total Funds 2026	Unrestricted Funds	Total Funds 2025
	£	£	£	£
Bank interest receivable	3,960	3,960	4,257	4,257
	-------	-------	-------	-------

8. Expenditure on Charitable Activities by Fund Type

	Unrestricted Funds	Restricted Funds	Total Funds 2026
	£	£	£
Performance costs	101,084	50,421	151,505
Staff costs	105,686	28,645	134,331
Administration	8,183	221	8,404
Marketing and advertising	7,815	40	7,855
Grants payable	–	43,640	43,640
Premises costs	6,904	380	7,284
Depreciation	695	–	695
Legal and professional fees	1,123	2,975	4,098
	---------	---------	---------
	231,490	126,322	357,812
	---------	---------	---------

	Unrestricted Funds	Restricted Funds	Total Funds 2025
	£	£	£
Performance costs	117,770	54,442	172,212
Staff costs	121,674	15,999	137,673
Administration	8,438	106	8,544
Marketing and advertising	6,736	38	6,774
Grants payable	–	43,640	43,640
Premises costs	6,854	–	6,854
Depreciation	927	–	927
Legal and professional fees	2,426	3,546	5,972
	---------	---------	---------
	264,825	117,771	382,596
	---------	---------	---------

9. Expenditure on Charitable Activities by Activity Type

	Activities undertaken directly	Grant funding of activities	Total funds 2026	Total fund 2025
	£	£	£	£
Performance costs	151,505	–	151,505	172,212
Staff costs	134,331	–	134,331	137,673
Administration	8,404	–	8,404	8,544
Marketing and advertising	7,855	–	7,855	6,774
Grants payable	–	43,640	43,640	43,640
Premises costs	7,284	–	7,284	6,854
Depreciation	695	–	695	927
Legal and professional fees	4,098	–	4,098	5,972
	---------	--------	---------	---------
	314,172	43,640	357,812	382,596
	---------	--------	---------	---------

10. Analysis of Grants

	2026	2025
	£	£

Grants to Institutions

Arts Out West	43,040	43,040
Heron Theatre	600	600
	--------	--------
	43,640	43,640
	--------	--------
Total grants	43,640	43,640
	--------	--------

11. Net Income/(Expenditure)

Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting):

	2026	2025
	£	£
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets	695	927
	----	----

12. Independent Examination Fees

	2026	2025
	£	£

Fees payable to the independent examiner for:

Independent examination of the financial statements	984	960
	----	----

13. Staff Costs

The total staff costs and employee benefits for the reporting period are analysed as follows:

	2026	2025
	£	£
Wages and salaries	120,327	122,750
Social security costs	3,295	4,513
Employer contributions to pension plans	5,415	4,910
	---------	---------
	129,037	132,173
	---------	---------

The average head count of employees during the year was 6 (2025: 6 ). The average number of full-time equivalent employees during the year is analysed as follows:

	2026	2025
	No.	No.
Direct staff	4	4
Admin and office staff	2	2
	----	----
	6	6
	----	----

No employee received employee benefits of more than £60,000 during the year (2025: Nil).

Key Management Personnel

Key management personnel include all persons that have authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the charity. The total compensation paid to key management personnel for services provided to the charity was £51,196 (2025:£48,221).

14. Trustee Remuneration and Expenses

No remuneration directly or indirectly out of the funds of the charity was paid or payable for the year to any trustee or to any person or persons known to be connected with any of them.

One trustee was reimbursed a total of £54 for travel expenses in the year (2025 - Four trustees reimbursed a total of £215).

15. Tangible Fixed Assets

	Fixtures and fittings	Equipment	Total
	£	£	£
Cost
At 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026	9,288	20,930	30,218
	-------	--------	--------
Depreciation
At 1 April 2025	9,149	18,291	27,440
Charge for the year	35	660	695
	-------	--------	--------
At 31 March 2026	9,184	18,951	28,135
	-------	--------	--------
Carrying amount
At 31 March 2026	104	1,979	2,083
	-------	--------	--------
At 31 March 2025	139	2,639	2,778
	-------	--------	--------

16. Debtors

	2026	2025
	£	£
Trade debtors	6,253	8,121
	-------	-------

17. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

	2026	2025
	£	£
Trade creditors	19,971	14,818
Accruals and deferred income	900	900
Social security and other taxes	2,191	2,183
Pension creditor	798	819
Deferred income	5,360	–
	--------	--------
	29,220	18,720
	--------	--------

18. Pensions and Other Post Retirement Benefits

Defined contribution plans

The amount recognised in income or expenditure as an expense in relation to defined contribution plans was £ 5,415 (2025: £ 4,910 ).

19. Analysis of Charitable Funds

Unrestricted funds

	At 1 April 2025	Income	Expenditure	Transfers	At 31 March 2026
	£	£	£	£	£
General reserves	119,391	238,195	(230,795)	–	126,791
Fixed asset reserves	2,778	–	(695)	–	2,083
Potential office move	–	–	–	–	–
IT development	–	–	–	–	–
Creative Eng - Secondary school	–	–	–	–	–
Commissioning pot	20,000	–	–	–	20,000
Staffing budget	–	–	–	–	–
Culture Recovery Fund	–	–	–	–	–
	---------	---------	---------	----	---------
	142,169	238,195	(231,490)	–	148,874
	---------	---------	---------	----	---------

	At 1 April 2024	Income	Expenditure	Transfers	At 31 March 2025
	£	£	£	£	£
General reserves	111,147	236,588	(262,528)	34,184	119,391
Fixed asset reserves	3,541	–	(927)	164	2,778
Potential office move	162	–	(162)	–	–
IT development	1,000	–	(1,000)	–	–
Creative Eng - Secondary school	208	–	(208)	–	–
Commissioning pot	20,000	–	–	–	20,000
Staffing budget	10,000	–	–	(10,000)	–
Culture Recovery Fund	22,500	–	–	(22,500)	–
	---------	---------	---------	--------	---------
	168,558	236,588	(264,825)	1,848	142,169
	---------	---------	---------	--------	---------

Restricted funds

	At 1 April 2025	Income	Expenditure	Transfers	At 31 March 2026
	£	£	£	£	£
HANDS	–	–	–	–	–
Arts Out West	–	43,640	(43,640)	–	–
Participate	7,520	19,761	(21,224)	–	6,057
RTDI	6,071	59,456	(61,458)	–	4,069
	--------	---------	---------	----	--------
	13,591	122,857	(126,322)	–	10,126
	--------	---------	---------	----	--------

	At 1 April 2024	Income	Expenditure	Transfers	At 31 March 2025
	£	£	£	£	£
HANDS	1,848	–	–	(1,848)	–
Arts Out West	–	43,640	(43,640)	–	–
Participate	8,451	13,000	(13,931)	–	7,520
RTDI	12,381	53,890	(60,200)	–	6,071
	--------	---------	---------	-------	--------
	22,680	110,530	(117,771)	(1,848)	13,591
	--------	---------	---------	-------	--------

20. Analysis of Net Assets Between Funds

	Unrestricted Funds	Restricted Funds	Total Funds 2026
	£	£	£
Tangible fixed assets	2,083	–	2,083
Current assets	176,011	10,126	186,137
Creditors less than 1 year	(29,220)	–	(29,220)
	---------	--------	---------
Net assets	148,874	10,126	159,000
	---------	--------	---------

	Unrestricted Funds	Restricted Funds	Total Funds 2025
	£	£	£
Tangible fixed assets	2,778	–	2,778
Current assets	158,111	13,591	171,702
Creditors less than 1 year	(18,720)	–	(18,720)
	---------	--------	---------
Net assets	142,169	13,591	155,760
	---------	--------	---------