Northern Roots - Accounts

Northern Roots - Accounts

NORTHERN ROOTS - Company Information

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Registered number
03539586
Charity Registration number
1088823
Northern Roots
Report and Accounts
31 March 2023
Northern Roots
Report and accounts
Contents
Page
Company information 1
Directors' report 2 - 6
Independent examiner's report on the accounts 7
Profit and loss account 8
Balance sheet 9
Notes to the accounts 10
Northern Roots
Company Information
Directors
K Dougherty
D Holmes
R Mather
Y Ngoo (resigned 26 March 2023)
R Perdik
T Ali
K Dubois
N Johnson (resigned 26 March 2023)
B Mamuini
L Naruse
R Reza (resigned 26 March 2023)
Secretary
K Dougherty
Accountants
Bell Anderson Limited
Lindum
264-266 Durham Road
Gateshead
Tyne and Wear
NE8 4JR
Registered office
Office 44
63 High Bridge
Newcastle upon Tyne
Tyne and Wear
NE1 6BX
Registered number
03539586
Charity registration number
1088823
Northern Roots
Registered number: 03539586
Trustees' Report
The Trustees present their report and accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the governing document, the Companies Act 2006 and follow the Charities SORP (FRS 102) . Structure, governance and management The Charity is a company limited by guarantee. The company was established under the Memorandum of Association which established the objects and power of the charitable company and is governed under the Articles of Association. In the event of the company being wound up members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1.

The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the Charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.
Objectives and activities
The objects of the Charity is to foster and promote the arts in society for the benefit of the general public in the United Kingdom but in particular the North-East of England by developing public appreciation of the arts and by improving public access to the arts and the quality of the arts. The Trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission including that regarding public benefit in deciding what activities the Charity should undertake.
Trustees
The following persons served as Trustees during the year:
K Dougherty
D Holmes
R Mather
Y Ngoo (resigned 26 March 2023)
R Perdik
T Ali
K Dubois
N Johnson (resigned 26 March 2023)
B Mamuini
L Naruse
R Reza (resigned 26 March 2023)
Achievements and performance
The Covid 19 Pandemic has continued to cause issues with in person concerts, audience numbers and the ability to promote artists from outside of the UK, especially those travelling from the USA. Northern Roots has continued to lead a focused fundraising campaign to support our outreach and development work with Artists from the Global Majority in the North East. We have maintained a consistent Jumpin’ Hot Club (JHC) programme with a minimised risk through stripped back programming, working closely with venues and artists, and a focused marketing campaign.

Over the past year we have continued to support Kema Kay and Kay Greyson to work extensively with young people across the North East.

Over the past year Northern Roots has continued to focus our work – maximising on the impact of our outreach work and maintaining a high quality JHC programme. We are still feeling the effects of Covid on our audiences, and changes in international travel, Covid and Brexit have affected the touring of US and European acts.

Youth Music continued to support work with Kema Kay and Kay Greyson, working with communities of young people from the Global Majority based in the West End of Newcastle – which has meant the organisation has been able to support 30 young people. The feedback from participants has been very positive, and the impact of the work has been shown in showcase concerts which continue to grow in popularity. We have continued a very productive partnership with Tyne and Wear Community Foundation, who have continued to be supportive of our work and enabled us to extend the outreach we have done – with the core group of young artists, as well as extending into working with schools and young people outside of our core group.

We have continued to provide mentoring to artists throughout this time – supporting members of Voices of Virtue, Radikal Queen, Vitamin Noir, Kema Kay and Kay Greyson – supporting with fundraising, mentoring, platforming and business development. We have supported Vitamin Noir in the development of a stand alone show ‘Brotherhood’ which focuses on the joy of friendship and the challenges of being Black in Britain – the show delivered a 3-week run at Alphabetti Theatre to sell out audiences.
In addition, we held showcase performances in May, July, and December – highlighting some of the best diverse talent on offer in the North East. December’s event was part of a project delivered in partnership with Tour de Moon and included an online event hosted by Sister Shack called Being Me in the Music Industry – what it means to be a woman or non-binary person in the music industry.

We managed to deliver a small-scale Country Cantina event in Easington during the summer of 2022 – a little larger than the 2021 festival but still conservative in numbers. This was a success and ensured we maintained a strong connection with our loyal audiences, we were able to give work to UK based acts and technicians, and ensure we had a presence in local media etc. As well as continue the long running partnership with the owners of The Barn at Easington.

October 2022 saw us deliver an ambition programme at Newcastle Cathedral – showcasing diverse North East talent, alongside Soweto Gospel Choir. The performance ‘Songs of Freedom’ was a nod to Martin Luther King Jnr’s visit to the North East, with Paulette Randall MBE (2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony Director) pulling the creative vision together, and artists Kema Kay and Kay Greyson, Vitamin Noir, Patrick Ziza’s Dandyism, Voices of Virtue Gospel Choir, Sisi, Maxine, Neeko, Milan and Moniker and Tia Leoni performing and Luke Wilson holding the piece together with an amazing version of Martin Luther King. Audiences were very special, and the audience feedback was unprecedented.

JHC Programming

Thankfully things opened up from late March /April onwards for us after lockdown and all that entailed with artists like Sam Outlaw, Jim White and Laura Veirs revisiting our shores. However it was a slow process for some old regulars, returning to live music shows wasn’t their immediate concern. Also, some oversea artists were still rather reluctant to travel over here. Providentially we established a different audience for our new venue – The Globe – and a rather younger audience for Cluny2. Gosforth Civic Theatre had established a different audience itself, so all was rather positive.
We went over to Austin Texas for SXSW with tickets purchased from before the pandemic and secured a couple of esteemed artists for our autumn programme - vintage retro soul /funk man, Ural Thomas and The Pain and a young Dallas country singer called Joshua Ray Walker. In September, at Gosforth Civic Theatre, we learned that the Queen had died, however Ural Thomas and his band’s sold-out show went ahead. In June, after securing a pre lockdown booking, we had a long-awaited appearance of West Virginia country/jazz artist Sierra Ferrell which was a major scoop for us and in July, we had the return of our summer Country Cantina Festival at The Barn in Easington, albeit with a limited-capacity that sold-out.

In November we held a full exhibition of framed photos from the past 15 -20 years by our in- house photographers Juan Fitzgerald and Charles Holley and also video footage from Kev Daley’s local TV shows in Gosforth Civic Theatre as part of our 37th Anniversary schedule.

We also held seven showcase events in our regular Newcastle/Gateshead venues pitching established American artists with our local up and coming talent. Nick Shoulder /Grave dancer in Cluny2, Big Red /Sam Lewis also Cluny2. Riley Downing/Gem Andrews, Jeffrey Foucault /Dietrich Strause and Errol Linton Band /King Bees duo in Gosforth Civic Theatre.

Kevin Galloway/Ben Singh in The Globe and finally Mary Gauthier /Jaimee Harris in Gateshead’s Little Theatre.

January 23, we featured overseas artists that were also appearing at Celtic Connections in Glasgow, Fern Maddie, Sarah Jane Scouten, Early James, Emily Scott Robinson, Alisa Amador, Violet Bell.

In March 23, American artists Mike and The Moonpies, JP Harris/John R Miller and Rachel Baiman who were all originally booked almost four years previously, finally made it over here finishing off our yearly programme.

In comparison to many North East Venues and Promoters, we have responded well. With many reporting only a 40% return of pre-covid audiences, whereas we are on around 80% of pre covid audiences. Though still challenging, it is a good indication of the loyalty and trust of our audience.
Partnerships
We have continued to build partnerships across the programme – with venues, organisations and funders.

We have worked closely with Community Foundation, Youth Music and several other funders to develop and deliver programmes to benefit artists from the Global Majority. We have also worked with venues such as Hoochie Coochie, The Globe, Gosforth Civic Theatre and The Little Theatre in Gateshead.
Funding
The funding landscape has continued to be challenging with many trusts and foundations needing to support statutory services, however we have managed to work with an external fundraiser and utilise inhouse fundraising skills to secure core funding from Youth Music and Newcastle’s Cultural Investment Fund. We have also continued to develop an internal fundraising strategy which is developing longer term funding and core funding so we can continue to have longer term relationships with our participants and artists.
Financial review
It is the charities policy that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at the level equivalent to between three months expenditure. Due to the changes in funding sources and the timing of receipts it has not always been possible to adhere to this policy whilst pursuing the charities aims and objectives. Part of the focus of the last years fundraising and financial planning has been to secure funds to run longer and more sustained programmes – which includes funding to build up a reserves amount amounting to 3 months of core expenditure. We have continued to review core costs and have continued to work from home as an organisation. We have ensured we have reviewed core spending outside of salaries and continue to seek core funding and unrestricted income from across the programme.

Our fundraising review has included a focus on core funding and business development support – enabling us to develop a more sustainable business model going forward.
Small company provisions
This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions in Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.
This report was approved by the board on 15 December 2023 and signed by its order.
R Perdik K Dougherty
Chairman Secretary
Northern Roots
Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Report to the trustees, directors & members of Northern Roots on accounts for the year ended 31 March 2020 Set out on pages 1 to 9 of the financial statements.

Charity no.: 1088823 Company no.: 03539586
Responsibilities and basis of report
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31/03/2022. As the charity’s trustees of the Company (who are also the directors of the company 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 for this year 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
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that:
• accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006; or
• the accounts do not accord with such records; or
• the accounts do not comply with relevant accounting requirements under section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 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
•the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS102).

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.
Bell Anderson Limited
Chartered Accountants
Lindum
264-266 Durham Road
Gateshead
Tyne and Wear
NE8 4JR
15 December 2023
Northern Roots
Statement of Financial Activities
for the year ended 31 March 2023
Notes Unrestricted Restricted
funds funds 2023 2022
£ £ £ £
Income from
Donations and legacies 3 307 307 -
Charitable activities 4 13,825 79,313 93,138 207,423
Other trading activities 5 60,140 60,140 13,875
Other operating income - - 6,464
74,272 79,313 153,585 227,762
Expenditure on
Raising funds 6 20,610 20,610 53,324
Charitable activities 7 58,442 121,408 179,850 107,486
Total Expenditure 79,052 121,408 200,460 160,810
Net (expenditure)/income before transfers (4,780) (42,095) (46,875) 66,952
Net (Expenditure)/income for the year/Net movement in funds (4,780) (42,095) (46,875) 66,952
Fund balances at 31 March 2022 8,395 105,606 114,001 47,049
Fund balances at 31 March 2023 3,615 63,511 67,126 114,001
Northern Roots
Registered number: 03539586
Balance Sheet
as at 31 March 2023
Notes 2023 2022
£ £
Fixed assets
Tangible assets 8 1,514 1,503
Current assets
Debtors 9 381 9,606
Cash at bank and in hand 73,885 118,949
74,266 128,555
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 10 (8,654) (16,057)
Net current assets 65,612 112,498
Net assets 67,126 114,001
Funds
Restricted funds 63,511 105,606
Unrestricted funds 3,615 8,395
Total funds 67,126 114,001
The Directors are satisfied that the company is entitled to exemption from the requirement to obtain an audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Act.
The Directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
The accounts have been prepared and delivered in accordance with the special provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime. The profit and loss account has not been delivered to the Registrar of Companies.
R Perdik
Chair
Approved by the board on 15 December 2023
Northern Roots
Notes to the Accounts
for the year ended 31 March 2023
1 Accounting policies
Basis of preparation
The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with FRS 102, The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (as applied to small entities by section 1A of the standard).
Turnover
Turnover is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable, net of discounts and value added taxes. Turnover includes revenue earned from the sale of goods and from the rendering of services. Turnover from the sale of goods is recognised when the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the goods have transferred to the buyer. Turnover from the rendering of services is recognised by reference to the stage of completion of the contract. The stage of completion of a contract is measured by comparing the costs incurred for work performed to date to the total estimated contract costs.
Tangible fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets are measured at cost less accumulative depreciation and any accumulative impairment losses. Depreciation is provided on all tangible fixed assets, other than freehold land, at rates calculated to write off the cost, less estimated residual value, of each asset evenly over its expected useful life, as follows:
Fixtures, fittings, tools and equipment 20% reducing balance
Debtors
Short term debtors are measured at transaction price (which is usually the invoice price), less any impairment losses for bad and doubtful debts. Loans and other financial assets are initially recognised at transaction price including any transaction costs and subsequently measured at amortised cost determined using the effective interest method, less any impairment losses for bad and doubtful debts.
Creditors
Short term creditors are measured at transaction price (which is usually the invoice price). Loans and other financial liabilities are initially recognised at transaction price net of any transaction costs and subsequently measured at amortised cost determined using the effective interest method.
Provisions
Provisions (ie liabilities of uncertain timing or amount) are recognised when there is an obligation at the reporting date as a result of a past event, it is probable that economic benefit will be transferred to settle the obligation and the amount of the obligation can be estimated reliably.
Pensions
Contributions to defined contribution plans are expensed in the period to which they relate.
2 Employees 2023 2022
Number Number
Average number of persons employed by the company 3 3
Employment Costs 2023 2022
£ £
Wages and salaries 48,235 44,861
3 Donations and legacies 2023 2022
£ £
Donations & gifts 307 -
307 -
All donations for 2023 are unrestricted
4 Charitable activites 2023 2022
£ £
Restricted Funds
Community Foundation 47,000 14,200
Gateshead project - 10,959
US Embassy - 2,274
National Foundation Youth Music 19,750 50,600
Arts Council - 26,315
Virgin - 24,300
VoV Schools Project - 15,000
Sadler Wells 2,563 8,188
Allen Lane - 7,500
Mentoring - 5,000
Tour de Moon 10,000 -
79,313 164,336
2023 2022
£ £
Unrestricted Funds
Unrestricted income - Merchandising etc 50 399
Unrestricted Arts Council Grant 11,278 42,688
Unrestrited charitable activity - MLK 2,497 -
13,825 43,087
5 Other trading activities 2023 2022
£ £
Sponsorship - MLK 30,000 -
Ticket sales 30,140 13,875
60,140 13,875
6 Raising funds 2023 2022
£ £
Bank charges 272 81
Accountancy fees 3,600 3,716
Adverts 213 3,613
Artists - 12,463
Consultancy - Fundraising - 1,814
Core Costs reallocation (33,500) (24,139)
Depreciation 378 166
Entertaining - 372
Insurance 136 131
Other legal and professional 13 13
Printing, postage and stationery 6 78
Rent 500 2,194
repairs - 250
Sound engineering - 3,685
Subscriptions 288 438
Sundries - Fundraising - 431
Sundries 4 91
Software and IT 465 547
Travel and accommodation - 1,328
Venue hire - 1,191
Wages 48,235 44,861
20,610 53,324
7 Charitable activities
2023 2022
£ £
Unrestricted activities
Mentoring costs 180 7,466
Artists, Support fees & Riders - JHC 10,156 -
Artists, Support fees & Riders - MLK 7,178 -
Advertising - JHC 1,994 -
Advertising - MLK 2,175 -
Equipment hire - MLK 17,160 -
Travel and subsistence - JHC 2,094 -
Travel and subsistence - MLK 5,312 -
Venue Hire - JHC 1,824 -
Venue hire - MLK 6,746 -
Video & Sound Engineering - JHC 1,610 -
Video & Sound Engineering - MLK 560 -
Entertaining - MLK 400 -
Sundry - JHC 965 -
Sundry -MLK 88 -
58,442 7,466
2023 2022
£ £
Restricted activities
Mentoring Costs - Community 42,000 -
Mentoring Costs - Tour de Moon 1,250 -
Mentoring Costs - Youth Music 32,631 20,195
Mentoring Costs- Gateshead Project - 8,640
Mentoring Costs- Arts Council - 6,555
Mentoring Costs- Sadlers Wells - 3,470
Artists,Support fees & Riders - Tour de Moon 5,865 -
Artists,Support fees & Riders - Youth Music 4,243 6,115
Artists,Support fees & Riders - Arts Council - 7,138
Artists,Support fees & Riders - Sadlers Wells - 3,230
Artists,Support fees & Riders - US Embassy - 1,800
Advertising - Youth Music 501 1,050
Venue Hire - Youth Music 230 607
Venue Hire - Arts Council - 107
Venue Hire - Sadlers Wells - 400
Video & Sound Engineering - Youth Music 528 2,184
Video & Sound Engineering - Tour de Moon 500 -
Video & Sound Engineering - Arts Council - 2,492
Video & Sound Engineering - US Embassy - 200
Core Costs - Youth Music 33,500 10,120
Core Costs - Community Foundation - 6,200
Core Costs - Gateshead Project - 2,319
Core Costs - Schools Project - 3,000
Core Costs - Allen Lane - 1,500
Core Costs - Mentoring - 1,000
Sundry - Tour de Moon 30 -
Sundry - Youth Music 30 200
Sundry - Community Foundation - 185
Licences - Youth Music 100 -
Travel - Youth Music - 304
Travel - Sadlers Wells - 480
Stationery - Youth Music - 16
Consultancy - Arts Council - 1,596
Advertising - Arts Council - 2,865
Advertising - US Embassy - 675
Accountancy - Arts Council - 1,084
Rent - Arts Council - 806
Wages and Salaries - Arts Council - 3,394
Bank Charges - Arts Council - 3
Insurance - Arts Council - 90
121,408 100,020
8 Tangible fixed assets
Fixtures and fittings
£
Cost
At 1 April 2022 10,958
Additions 389
At 31 March 2023 11,347
Depreciation
At 1 April 2022 9,455
Charge for the year 378
At 31 March 2023 9,833
Net book value
At 31 March 2023 1,514
At 31 March 2022 1,503
9 Debtors 2023 2022
£ £
Trade debtors 381 9,606
10 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 2023 2022
£ £
Trade creditors - 819
Taxation and social security costs 1,499 1,331
Other creditors 7,155 13,907
8,654 16,057
11 Restricted funds Balance at Incoming Resources Balance
1 April 2022 Resources Expended 31 March 2023
£
Community Foundation 44,443 47,000 42,000 49,443
Tour de Moon 10,000 7,645 2,355
Sadlers Wells 608 2,563 - 3,171
National Foundation Youth Music 60,555 19,750 71,763 8,542
105,606 79,313 121,408 54,969
12 Other information
Northern Roots is a private company limited by guarantee without share capital and incorporated in England. Its registered office is:
Office 44
63 High Bridge
Newcastle upon Tyne
Tyne and Wear
NE1 6BX
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