Registered Charity Number: 1150290—Registered in England Number: 08235510
Coventry Irish Society
Annual Report 2022
12th December 2022 — Registered Charity No: 1150290—Registered in England No: 08235510
Registered Charity Number: 1150290—Registered in England Number: 08235510
Rory Ryan Chair
I
Dár gcairde agus ár gcomhaltaí go léir
To all our dear friends and members,
Coventry Irish Society has made significant progress in the previous year with our new building at Eaton House giving the charity a new lease of life. Our premises now offer us the opportunity to provide social events, welfare advice and host our Irish oral history exhibition ‘Irish Heart, Coventry Home’
Our exhibition relaunch on June the 16th 2023 was a great success with 120 people in attendance with our main speaker Cork City Lord Mayor Dr Kieran McCarthy.
One thing is for sure we could not have achieved what we have this year without the support of our funders namely the Emigrant Support Programme-Ireland, the help of our wonderful staff, but above all the ongoing continued support from our loyal friends and members of which myself and the trustee board are forever truly grateful for.
Our Annual Summer Ball returned in September 2023 and was a fantastic success bringing all our main stakeholders together in what was the charity’s 30th Anniversary celebration. Thank you to David Cairns our Honorary President for his dedication to the charity and for setting up the charity in 1993. He can be very proud of what the charity has achieved particularly for the vulnerable Irish including 500 Irish Survivors that we supported through Redress.
Our high profile panel of speakers for our 25th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement spoke about how the power sharing is a model for the world. This message is very important as we pray for peace in the Middle East and Ukraine. We also pay tribute to the family of the Late Margaret Keane for their courage to win the legal battle for Margaret’s gravestone, Irish Language inscription (without and English Translation) and their battle with the NHS that neglected their duty to provide the best care for Margaret Keane, who could have lived on should she have had the appropriate treatment.
Whilst we do have a lot as individuals to concern ourselves with this year and next, let's not also forget to continue to support each other, continue advocating the services that we provide as a charity and above all celebrating our success and culture through our members.
Wishing you all the most Merry & Holy Christmas and a Prosperous & Happy New Year.
God bless, and my warmest wishes to you all.
Rory Ryan - Chair
Pag
12th December 2022 — Registered Charity No: 1150290—Registered in England No: 08235510
Registered Charity Number: 1150290—Registered in England Number: 08235510
Managers Report
The Charity continues to focus its attention on supporting the vulnerable members of the Irish community. Over 100 vulnerable Irish people have received significant support from the charity since our last AGM. Our day to day enquiries, Irish Passports, Utility bills, Welfare and Health enquiries has provided a service to more than 1500 people in the last 12 months. Irish Citizenship enquiries are still hugely popular and around a 3[rd] of all day to day enquiries concern Irish Passport renewals, first time Irish Passport applications or Foreign Birth Registrations for 3[rd] Generation Irish.
Our Irish Survivors support service continues to help 50 Survivors across the West Midlands. In February 2024 the new compensation scheme for Mother and Baby Home Survivors will be opened. Our service will then be in much higher demand. We are delighted to have funding from the Irish government’s ‘Emigrant Support Programme’ to recruit a new full time officer for the project. We are delighted to have our new officer Nikita Smith taking up the post in November 2023.
Our Dementia support group was poignantly renamed after the late ‘Betty Hunter’ who contributed so much in the field of Dementia. A big thank you to ‘Care Associates’ who sponsor the group and also sponsored our Summer Ball in September.
The Claddagh Group is still going strong and were delighted to welcome them back to Eaton House in March 2023. They are a fantastic group with around 50 members that meet each Tuesday 122pm at Coventry Irish Society 2nd Floor Eaton House. The Irish Friendship Group is another longstanding fantastic group that is still going strong with 20 members and meets every Friday at Flannellys 12-2pm. I would like to thank both of these groups for their support of the charity.
We are very happy to report that our Lunch Clubs and social support groups are now fully attended again after a drop off in numbers during the Covid-19 pandemic. Our members are affected disproportionately from social isolation with many people having lost their long term spouses and the function of our social support networks are very important for this reason.
Our new spacious premises at 2[nd] Floor Eaton House, Eaton Road Coventry have given us a massive injection of life and it has rejuvenated the project with so many social events taking place. The highlight this year was the 16th June Irish Heart Coventry Home reopening and the 25th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement Panel Discussion. Our Oral History exhibition ‘Irish Heart, Coventry Home’’ is now permanently displayed at our offices.
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Our new website has also assisted us to get information to our new members with a bi-monthly E- Newsletter. We are sincerely hoping that this increases the number of Second and Third Generation Irish people joining the charity.
I would like to thank our main funder the ‘Emigrant Support Programme’ for all their fantastic support of the charity and the Irish community in Coventry and Warwickshire. Also, to our other funders the ‘Big Lottery and the Ireland Fund of Great Britain and the City Council. I would like to thank our Trustees that diligently support the charity as volunteers and Our honorary president David Cairns, who continues to support the charity and raises awareness of the Irish community’s needs, and he was 90 years old in June!
Mostly to thank our members, volunteers, and clients for their contribution to the charity. Our whole purpose depends on you, and we are grateful for the opportunity to support you and work with you.
Simon McCarthy
12th December 2022 — Registered Charity No: 1150290—Registered in England No: 08235510 Page 3
Registered Charity Number: 1150290—Registered in England Number: 08235510
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Kiera Forrest
P.A. to Manager
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Hello All,
I am both the administrator and P.A to the manager at CIS. My role includes finance systems, service databases, marketing, and social media.
I help to maintain our website and social media pages as well as designing and preparing newsletters and event flyers. I also take part in the running of our events and regularly take photo’s during them which I then upload to Facebook for anyone who wishes to download a copy for themselves.
I am also available to help people in renewing their Irish Passports along with applying for the first time and regularly give support and advice in applying for Foreign Birth Registrations for those of third-generation Irish.
I want to thank everyone for their patience whilst we moved and got set up in our new premises, I am so glad to report that the new CIS office is looking amazing and I encourage any who have yet to see it to pop in and have a look around at all of the wonderful things we have gathered over the years that are now on display including our Irish Heart, Coventry Home exhibition.
It’s been fantastic being able to see you all again both for events and in the office and I truly appreciate everyone who comes along and makes our days so much brighter. You are always welcome to visit us for a cup of tea and a chat in the office and I hope to see you all even more in the years to come.
I wish you all the best, Kiera Forrest
Gráinne Fellowes (Digital Officer)
Since March 2022, I have been working remotely with Coventry Irish as a Digital Officer. This role ensures the charity’s voice is amplified across digital and social media channels including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Web and E- marketing. My background is in digital marketing for the cultural sector across the U.K, utilising the latest technologies to develop strong digital identities.
Over the past 10 months, I have helped Coventry Irish to improve their digital presence across social and web channels, including auditing and re-developing key areas including mailing lists, a new website and networking across social channels to share news of upcoming events and charity updates within Coventry Irish and their wider network.
Throughout March, April and May I worked to evaluate the key statistics from across social channels including follower counts, engagements and impressions, setting up an excel metric for all active accounts which continues to monitor monthly data. This data is used to inform the success of post types and successful engagement rates, which informs how social channels are used to disseminate information types. A similar excel metric is in place to begin monitoring website and E-marketing data as the charity begins to utilise the new website in 2023. In 2022, a large focus of Coventry Irish’s digital offer was sharing short form updates through social channels as the website underwent re-development. This includes employment and job offers from the charity and associated organisations, charity and affiliated group events and updates regarding National Lottery Funding.
Looking forward to 2023, I will continue to work on helping to populate the exciting new website, aiming to increase membership and donation rates by building a strong digital network.
Warmest Wishes Grainne Fellowes
12th December 2022 — Registered Charity No: 1150290—Registered in England No: 08235510 Page 4
Registered Charity Number: 1150290—Registered in England Number: 08235510
Nikita Smith
Health Workers Report
Dear all ,
I would like to start by thanking everyone I have already had the pleasure of meeting for being so warm and welcoming.
I recently joined CIS in the March of this year as the new health worker, a position which I cherish and hold very close to my heart due to my own Irish heritage being so important to me. I am so thankful to be able to spend so much time amongst the Irish community here in Coventry and it is an honor to be able to support you.
I am responsible for welfare advice, such as; benefits, housing, energy and counselling referrals. I also assist with all aspects of Irish citizenship, the majority of which being Passport Renewals but also includes first time applications and foreign birth registrations, both of which have been increasing in number over the last few months.
I understand that many people are struggling in these difficult times with the cost of living rising so rapidly, particularly the energy prices and so I have been kept busy these last few weeks offering people support for managing their bills, ensuring they are getting all benefits they are entitled to and helping in the process of applying for any they are not yet in receipt of. This includes filling out any necessary paperwork and arranging telephone assessments. I have also been helping anyone who is entitled to get their Irish Pensions and bus passes.
I would like for our members to be aware that I am available to help with most online services or requests you may have and that in the circumstance where it is not something I have come across before I will do my utmost to assign you to the right service or organization with continued support from myself should you need it.
My door is always open to those of you who need my assistance or would just like to pop in for a chat and a cup of tea.
I am so happy to be a part of CIS and look forward to continue supporting its members and helping to contribute towards bringing the Coventry Irish Community together.
I look forward to seeing you all soon.
Warmest wishes
Nikita Smith
12th December 2022 — Registered Charity No: 1150290—Registered in England No: 08235510 Page 5
Registered Charity Number: 1150290—Registered in England Number: 08235510
Statement of Financial Activities
12th December 2022 — Registered Charity No: 1150290—Registered in England No: 08235510
Registered Charity Number: 1150290—Registered in England Number: 08235510
Balance Sheet 2021
Page 7
12th December 2022 — Registered Charity No: 1150290—Registered in England No: 08235510
Registered Charity Number: 1150290—Registered in England Number: 08235510
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Margaret
Campbell
Liz
Bill Webb
Synergy
Frankie
Flannelly Business
Felton
mentoring
Gerry Eugene
McMahon
Lenehan
The Claddagh Irish Friendship
Group Group
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12th December 2022 — Registered Charity No: 1150290—Registered in England No: 08235510
COVENTRY IRISH SOCIETY
(A company limited by guarantee)
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANT'S REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST ] DECEMBER 2022
Charity No: 1150290 Company No: 08235510
CONTENTS
| PAGE | |
|---|---|
| Chairperson's Report & Report of the Trustees | 3 |
| Report of the Independent Accountants | 5 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 7 |
| Balance Sheet | 8 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 9 |
COVENTRY IRISH SOCIETY
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST ] DECEMBER 2022
COMPANY INFORMATION:
TRUSTEES: Rory Ryan Josephine Addleton Elizabeth Flannelly Kathleen McCarthy Kay Forrest Michael Fitzgerald
REGISTERED OFFICE:
2[nd] Floor Eaton House Eaton Road Coventry CV1 2FJ
REGISTERED NUMBER: 08235510 (England and Wales)
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1150290
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANT: Simon Horsman
COVENTRY IRISH SOCIETY
CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT & REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST ] DECEMBER 2022
Dear Members
Coventry Irish Society is an organisation which works predominantly with older Irish people with a specific target to support the vulnerable Irish. Our overall aim is to alleviate poverty, improve health and address social isolation in our local Irish community.
CIS is made up of Trustees, Employees & Volunteers, but the beating heart of our charity is our members and their passion to continuously keep alive our Irish heritage in the city that we call home.
The Charity will continue to prioritise the needs of the vulnerable Irish by targeting resources to ensure that our vulnerable community’s health and welfare needs are being met. In addition to day to day advice and outreach services the Charity will conduct a half day per week Dementia Support Service to ensure this objective is being met. The Charity will also prioritise Irish Survivors in the Midlands having secured funding for Irish Survivors specialist services. This project will target existing Survivors on our database and new Survivors claiming compensation from the forthcoming Mother and Baby Homes Payments Scheme, which is expected to open in the Autumn of 2023. General advice will continue to provide support for people seeking Irish citizenship, Irish Passports, and general welfare enquiries such as help with utility bills, Council Tax etc. The Charity’s new rent free premises on the 2[nd] Floor of Eaton House, Eaton Road, Coventry has allowed us to host all our day to day services as well as exhibit our Oral History project ‘Irish Heart, Coventry Home’. The premises create a great space for social befriending and events as well as new opportunities for volunteers and visitors. There is now a café atmosphere along with the history exhibition. We are extremely grateful to ‘Avire’ the Charity that organised this move for us and to ‘Friargate Projects’ Ltd that have given us the 3 year contract. The Charity recently developed a new 3 year fundraising plan that includes an online membership drive of 2[nd] and 3[rd] Generation Irish and our new website that will be launched in November 2022. I would like to thank our main long-term funder the ‘Emigrant Support Programme’ for their commitment to the Irish community and the charity, as well as some of our other long term and recent funders, The Ireland Fund of Great Britain, The National Lottery Community Fund and the Big Lottery for their fantastic support to the Irish community. Mostly I would like to thank all our members, clients, and volunteers for their support of the Charity.
Report of the Trustees
The Trustees who are also Directors of the Charity for the purposes of the Companies Act submit their Report together with the reviewed Financial Statements of the Charity for the year ended 31st December 2022. The Trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) "Accounting and Reporting by Charities" issued in March 2005 in preparing the Annual Report and Financial Statements.
The Charity is a Charitable Company Limited by Guarantee and was set up on 1st October 2012 and commenced to trade on 1st January 2013. It is governed by a Memorandum and Articles of Association.
Objectives
The Charity's objectives are:
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to promote the benefit of the inhabitants of Coventry and surrounding areas with particular
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reference to those who are Irish or of Irish descent;
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to relieve sickness and old age, preserve and protect good health and advance education and
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training;
• to address issues of deprivation, social exclusion and isolation related to poor health and old age, preserve and protect good mental and physical health and spiritual wen-being;
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to promote culturally appropriate housing, health and social welfare services and recreational
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and other leisure time occupations with the object of improving the quality for the said inhabitants.
Risks management
The Trustees conduct their own review of major risks to which the Charity js exposed, these procedures are periodically reviewed to ensure that they still meet the needs of the Charity and are as follows:
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an annual review of the risks which the Charity may face;
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the establishment of systems and procedures to mitigate those risks identified;
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the implementation of procedures designed to minimise any potential impact on the Charity
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should any of the risks materialise.
Financial Review and Reserves Policy
The company's "results" and position at 31st December 2022 are set out in the accounts on pages 7 to 11. There were negative unrestricted reserves at 31st December 2022, and the trustees are continuing to seek to address this and establish an appropriate reserves policy including a new 3 year plan.
Trustees' Responsibilities Statement
The Trustees (who are also Directors of Coventry Irish Society for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Annual Report and the Financial Statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charitable Company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the Charitable Company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material
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departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume
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that the Charity will continue in operation.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charitable Company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. The Trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charitable Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
In so far as the Trustees are aware:
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there is no relevant Audit information of which the Charitable Company's Auditor is unaware;
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and • the Trustees have taken all the steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant Audit information and to establish that the Auditor is aware of that information.
Approved and signed on behalf of the Trustees by:
Print name: Chair- Rory Ryan Date 29[th] September 2023.
2020 - Independent Accountant's Report on the Accounts
I have both prepared the financial statements of the Coventry Irish Society (CIS). The circumstances whereby this has come about are discussed in Section 4 of this report. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective January 2015).
This report is made wholly to the CIS Trustees on the examination of the accounts for the year ended 31[st ] December 2022.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and reporting accountant.
As explained more fully in the Trustees' Responsibility Statement, the trustees (who, for the purposes of company law, are also the directors of the charitable company) are responsible for the records from which these accounts have been prepared. Normally, they would also be responsible for preparing the accounts, leaving the independent accountant merely the task of reviewing the accounts, but this year that was not possible and the independent accountant has prepared the accounts and take responsibility for them showing a true and fair view, subject to the note below. In doing so I have followed applicable directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act 2011.
Scope of the accounts
The accounts concerned are in accordance with the underlying books and records of the organisation and have been verified with reference to external documents (e.g. bank statements) where this is feasible. Being acceptable to us, I have not changed any accounting policies from past years. have not received a trustees' report for the year and so have no comment to make.
Reservations regarding "a true and fair view" and "Going Concern".
The situation as at 31[st ] December 2022 was unchanged from earlier years so I am using the text from 2018 prepared by Mark Holmes and me. For clarity it is italicised. The figures we inherited from the years to December 2013 and 2014 were both subject to audit qualifications. In these circumstances we are unable to satisfy ourselves as to the appropriateness of the original figures and in particular the analysis of restricted and unrestricted funds. This impacts on later figures, especially the analysis of the capital funds on 31[st ] December 2015 (the first period for which we were acting as independent accountants) as at the earlier year ends. On the other hand, readers may wish to note and take some comfort from the fact that funders have not responded to these qualified figures in such a way as to indicate that they were unhappy with the position revealed.
It is also necessary to state that in determining whether Coventry Irish Society ("CIS") is a going concern the accountant must be mindful that, like many charitable bodies, CIS's activities in both scale and direction are driven by the grants it is awarded. Changes in grants will impact CIS's future activities. This is not to say that CIS would not be able to continue but that its scope will always have to be adjusted to its resources.
Qualified Opinion on the financial statements.
In my opinion, except for the possible effects of the matters described in the Reservations regarding "a true and fair view" and "Going Concern" paragraphs, the financial statements:
give a true and fair view of the charitable company's affairs at 31[st ] December 2022
have been properly prepared in accordance with UK generally accepted accounting Practice (applicable to smaller entities), and
have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
Signed: SJLH Horsman
Print name: SIMON HORSMAN
Date: 29[th ] September 2023
COVENTRY IRISH SOCIETY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (Incorporating the Income and Expenditure Account For Years Ended December 31st
| COVENTRY IRISH SOCIETY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (Incorporating the Income and Expenditure Account For Years Ended December 31st |
COVENTRY IRISH SOCIETY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (Incorporating the Income and Expenditure Account For Years Ended December 31st |
COVENTRY IRISH SOCIETY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (Incorporating the Income and Expenditure Account For Years Ended December 31st |
COVENTRY IRISH SOCIETY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (Incorporating the Income and Expenditure Account For Years Ended December 31st |
COVENTRY IRISH SOCIETY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (Incorporating the Income and Expenditure Account For Years Ended December 31st |
COVENTRY IRISH SOCIETY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (Incorporating the Income and Expenditure Account For Years Ended December 31st |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted Funds |
Restricted Funds |
2022 | 2021 | ||
| INCOMING RESOURCES | |||||
| Donations and Fundraising | 6,289 | 6,289 | 3,586 | ||
| Membership & Sales | 1,345 | 1,345 | 940 |
||
| Emigrant Support Programme Less Clawback (see Note 2) |
83,663 | 83,663 | 57,483 | ||
| UK Lottery/Covid Grant | 215 | 215 | Nil |
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| Other Grants | 1,050 | 1,050 | 3,000 |
||
| Total incoming resources | 8,684 | 83,878 |
92,562 | 65,009 |
|
| RESOURCES EXPENDED | |||||
| Staff costs (including NI) Covid Costs |
52,767 | 52,767 | 47,253 |
||
| Survivors' Project | 1,391 | 1,391 | |||
| Other Projects & Charitable Activities |
5,856 | 5,856 | |||
| Other expenses and support costs | 11,295 | 11,295 | 8,393 |
||
| Office Rent | 6,000 | 6,000 | 9,000 | ||
| Total resources expended | 17,151 | 60,158 |
77,309 | 64,646 | |
| Surplus/(Deficit) Net outgoing resources |
(8,467) | 23,720 |
15,253 | 363 |
| COVENTRY IRISH SOCIETY - BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31st DECEMBER |
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| 2022 | 2021 | |||
| FIXED ASSETS (Net Book Value) See Note 3 below |
35 | 52 | ||
| CURRENT ASSETS | ||||
| Bank and cash | 61,687 | 64,831 | ||
| Total Current Assets | 61,687 | 64,831 | ||
| CURRENT LIABILITIES | ||||
| Deferred income (ESP Grant) (see Note 2) |
(36,438) | (56,225) | ||
| Other Creditors | (150) | |||
| Accruals (Credit Card) | (551) | (393) | ||
| PAYE & NI | (592) | (327) | ||
| Total Current Liabilities | (38,481) | (56,945) | ||
| Net Current Assets (Working Capital) |
23,156 | 23,156 | 7,886 | 7,886 |
| TOTAL NET ASSETS | 23,191 | 7,938 | ||
| Surplus/(Deficit) for the Year |
15,253 | 363 | ||
| Fund Balances Brought Forward |
7,938 | 7,575 | ||
| Fund Balances Carried Forward |
23,191 | 7,938 | ||
| FUNDS | ||||
| Unrestricted funds | (56,754) | (48,287) | ||
| Restricted funds | 89,878 | 56,225 | ||
| TOTAL | 23,191 | 7,938 |
The Society decided in 2021to change the way it treats restricted funds to something more transparent. Restricted Funds are to be those funds which have been allocated to specific purposes and which, remaining unspent, therefore represent liabilities to be satisfied in the future. At 31[st] December 2022 these funds amounted to £37,581 (see Note 2). The balance, a negative balance of £7,490 (2021 £48,287 has been taken to Unrestricted Funds.
COVENTRY IRISH SOCIETY NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST ] DECEMBER 2022
NOTE 1. Accounting policies
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(a) The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) "Accounting and Reporting by Charities" published in July 2014 and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standards for Smaller Entities (effective January 2015).
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(b) The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis notwithstanding an overdrawn unrestricted funds position at 31[st ] December 2022. A reduction in funding from the principal funder from mid-2014 reduced the Society's income significantly but it has been stable for several years now. The trustees have taken widespread and substantial remedial to rectify the situation, and are confident that a positive position has been restored. The 2021-22 grant awards from the principal funder, albeit at a lower level than pre-2014, have been confirmed at the date of approval of the financial statements. The trustees, being mindful of all relevant factors, consider the Going Concern basis to be appropriate .
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(c) Voluntary income is received by way of donations and gifts and is included in the full in the Statement of Financial Activities when receivable. The value of the services provided by volunteers has been included.
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(d) Grants, including grants for the purchase of fixed assets, are recognised in full in the Statement of Financial Activities for the year in which they are receivable.
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(e) Incoming resources from investments are included when receivable.
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(f) Resources expended are recognised in the period in which they are incurred. Resources expended include attributable VAT which cannot be recovered.
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(g) Resources expended are allocated to the particular activity where the cost relates directly to the activity.
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(h) Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost of each asset over its expected useful life, which is estimated at five years for furniture, four years for office equipment and three years for computers.
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(i) Unrestricted funds are donations and other incoming resources receivable or generated for the objects of the charity without further specified purpose and are available as general funds.
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(j) Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the management committee for particular purposes.
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(k) Restricted funds are to be used for specific purposes as laid down by the donor. Expenditure which meets these criteria is charged to the fund, together with a fair allocation of management and support costs.
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(l) Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the income and expenditure account on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease.
Note 2 Emigrant Support Programme (ESP)
Background
The Emigrant Support Programme funded by the Eireann Government makes up approximately 90% of the society’s income so it is important that these monies are accounted for both correctly and transparently. The grants work on a year from 1[st] July to 30[th] June so, in principle, given that the society works to the calendar year, half the grant will fall into the year it is received and half gets carried over to the following year. We say “in principle” because the timing of grants, especially if they are for specific purposes, can mean that simply halving the figure does not show a true and fair view.
2021 and 2022
In 2021 the Society received additional funding, somewhat late in the calendar year. With possibly excessive prudence (though this is always a matter of judgement), £56,225, was carried forward to 2022. £27,233 (half of the 2021 ESP grant and £30,250 (released from 2020) made up the 2021 income of £57,483 reported as Income for 2021. That £56,225, a larger sum than in recent years was released to Income for 2022 to combine with £27,438, 50% of the 2022 monies received of £54,875. The balance, the other 50% appears in the 2022 Balance Sheet as part of the Deferred Income.
£9,000 from a UK Lottery grant received late in 2022 carried forward to 2023 makes up the balance of the Deferred Income account.
DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS: EMIGRANT SUPPORT PROGRAMME Department of Foreign Affairs: The Emigrant Support Programme received grant of €93,000 for the year from 1st July 2022 to 30th June 2023. The funds were restricted for the following projects: Outreach Project £90,000, Lunch Club £2,000, St. Patrick's Day £1000. Six months grant income was utilised in the period to 31st December 2022. Six months grant income amounting to £59,300 has been deferred to the 2023 financial year and will be utilised by 30th June 2023.
For the financial year in question the company was entitled to exemption under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
No members have required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.
The Directors acknowledge their responsibility for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and for the preparation of accounts.
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable subject to the small companies' regime.
On behalf of the board
The financial statements were approved by the board of trustees on 29[th] September 2022
The annexed notes form part of these financial statements
Company Number: 08235510 Charity Number: 1150290
Print Name: Rory Ryan
Date: 29th September 2023
NOTE 3. Tangible fixed assets
| NOTE 3. Tangible fixed assets | NOTE 3. Tangible fixed assets | NOTE 3. Tangible fixed assets | NOTE 3. Tangible fixed assets | NOTE 3. Tangible fixed assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer | Furniture | Equipment | Total | |
| COST | ||||
| At 1st January 2022 | 5,490 | 5,196 | 1,978 | 12,664 |
| Additions | 0 | |||
| Disposals | 0 | |||
| At 31st December 2022 | 5,490 | 5,196 | 1,978 | 12,664 |
| Less DEPRECIATION | ||||
| At 1st January 2022 | 5,463 | 5,196 | 1,953 | 12,612 |
| Charge for the Year | 9 | 8 | 17 | |
| At 31st December 2022 | 5,472 | 5,196 | 1,961 | 12,629 |
| = NET BOOK VALUE | 18 | 0 | 17 | 35 |
| At 31st December 2022 |
NOTE 3. Taxation
No liability to UK corporation tax arises for the year ended 31[st ] December 2020 nor for any previous periods.
NOTE 4. Unrestricted funds
| NOTE 4. Unrestricted funds | NOTE 4. Unrestricted funds | NOTE 4. Unrestricted funds | NOTE 4. Unrestricted funds | NOTE 4. Unrestricted funds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opening Balance 1stJan’ |
Movement in resources In Out |
Closing Balance 31stDec; |
||
| Unrestricted funds | (48,287) | 8,684 | (17,151) | (56,754) |
| Restricted funds | 56,225 | 83,878 | (60,158) | 79,945 |
| Total | 7,938 | 92,562 | (77,309) | 23,191 |
COVENTRY IRISH SOCIETY
(A company limited by guarantee)
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANT'S REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST ] DECEMBER 2022
Charity No: 1150290 Company No: 08235510
CONTENTS
| PAGE | |
|---|---|
| Chairperson's Report & Report of the Trustees | 3 |
| Report of the Independent Accountants | 5 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 7 |
| Balance Sheet | 8 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 9 |
COVENTRY IRISH SOCIETY
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST ] DECEMBER 2022
COMPANY INFORMATION:
TRUSTEES: Rory Ryan Josephine Addleton Elizabeth Flannelly Kathleen McCarthy Kay Forrest Michael Fitzgerald
REGISTERED OFFICE:
2[nd] Floor Eaton House Eaton Road Coventry CV1 2FJ
REGISTERED NUMBER: 08235510 (England and Wales)
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1150290
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANT: Simon Horsman
COVENTRY IRISH SOCIETY
CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT & REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST ] DECEMBER 2022
Dear Members
Coventry Irish Society is an organisation which works predominantly with older Irish people with a specific target to support the vulnerable Irish. Our overall aim is to alleviate poverty, improve health and address social isolation in our local Irish community.
CIS is made up of Trustees, Employees & Volunteers, but the beating heart of our charity is our members and their passion to continuously keep alive our Irish heritage in the city that we call home.
The Charity will continue to prioritise the needs of the vulnerable Irish by targeting resources to ensure that our vulnerable community’s health and welfare needs are being met. In addition to day to day advice and outreach services the Charity will conduct a half day per week Dementia Support Service to ensure this objective is being met. The Charity will also prioritise Irish Survivors in the Midlands having secured funding for Irish Survivors specialist services. This project will target existing Survivors on our database and new Survivors claiming compensation from the forthcoming Mother and Baby Homes Payments Scheme, which is expected to open in the Autumn of 2023. General advice will continue to provide support for people seeking Irish citizenship, Irish Passports, and general welfare enquiries such as help with utility bills, Council Tax etc. The Charity’s new rent free premises on the 2[nd] Floor of Eaton House, Eaton Road, Coventry has allowed us to host all our day to day services as well as exhibit our Oral History project ‘Irish Heart, Coventry Home’. The premises create a great space for social befriending and events as well as new opportunities for volunteers and visitors. There is now a café atmosphere along with the history exhibition. We are extremely grateful to ‘Avire’ the Charity that organised this move for us and to ‘Friargate Projects’ Ltd that have given us the 3 year contract. The Charity recently developed a new 3 year fundraising plan that includes an online membership drive of 2[nd] and 3[rd] Generation Irish and our new website that will be launched in November 2022. I would like to thank our main long-term funder the ‘Emigrant Support Programme’ for their commitment to the Irish community and the charity, as well as some of our other long term and recent funders, The Ireland Fund of Great Britain, The National Lottery Community Fund and the Big Lottery for their fantastic support to the Irish community. Mostly I would like to thank all our members, clients, and volunteers for their support of the Charity.
Report of the Trustees
The Trustees who are also Directors of the Charity for the purposes of the Companies Act submit their Report together with the reviewed Financial Statements of the Charity for the year ended 31st December 2022. The Trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) "Accounting and Reporting by Charities" issued in March 2005 in preparing the Annual Report and Financial Statements.
The Charity is a Charitable Company Limited by Guarantee and was set up on 1st October 2012 and commenced to trade on 1st January 2013. It is governed by a Memorandum and Articles of Association.
Objectives
The Charity's objectives are:
-
to promote the benefit of the inhabitants of Coventry and surrounding areas with particular
-
reference to those who are Irish or of Irish descent;
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to relieve sickness and old age, preserve and protect good health and advance education and
-
training;
• to address issues of deprivation, social exclusion and isolation related to poor health and old age, preserve and protect good mental and physical health and spiritual wen-being;
-
to promote culturally appropriate housing, health and social welfare services and recreational
-
and other leisure time occupations with the object of improving the quality for the said inhabitants.
Risks management
The Trustees conduct their own review of major risks to which the Charity js exposed, these procedures are periodically reviewed to ensure that they still meet the needs of the Charity and are as follows:
-
an annual review of the risks which the Charity may face;
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the establishment of systems and procedures to mitigate those risks identified;
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the implementation of procedures designed to minimise any potential impact on the Charity
-
should any of the risks materialise.
Financial Review and Reserves Policy
The company's "results" and position at 31st December 2022 are set out in the accounts on pages 7 to 11. There were negative unrestricted reserves at 31st December 2022, and the trustees are continuing to seek to address this and establish an appropriate reserves policy including a new 3 year plan.
Trustees' Responsibilities Statement
The Trustees (who are also Directors of Coventry Irish Society for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Annual Report and the Financial Statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charitable Company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the Charitable Company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material
-
departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
-
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume
-
that the Charity will continue in operation.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charitable Company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. The Trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charitable Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
In so far as the Trustees are aware:
-
there is no relevant Audit information of which the Charitable Company's Auditor is unaware;
-
and • the Trustees have taken all the steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant Audit information and to establish that the Auditor is aware of that information.
Approved and signed on behalf of the Trustees by:
Print name: Chair- Rory Ryan Date 29[th] September 2023.
2020 - Independent Accountant's Report on the Accounts
I have both prepared the financial statements of the Coventry Irish Society (CIS). The circumstances whereby this has come about are discussed in Section 4 of this report. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective January 2015).
This report is made wholly to the CIS Trustees on the examination of the accounts for the year ended 31[st ] December 2022.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and reporting accountant.
As explained more fully in the Trustees' Responsibility Statement, the trustees (who, for the purposes of company law, are also the directors of the charitable company) are responsible for the records from which these accounts have been prepared. Normally, they would also be responsible for preparing the accounts, leaving the independent accountant merely the task of reviewing the accounts, but this year that was not possible and the independent accountant has prepared the accounts and take responsibility for them showing a true and fair view, subject to the note below. In doing so I have followed applicable directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act 2011.
Scope of the accounts
The accounts concerned are in accordance with the underlying books and records of the organisation and have been verified with reference to external documents (e.g. bank statements) where this is feasible. Being acceptable to us, I have not changed any accounting policies from past years. have not received a trustees' report for the year and so have no comment to make.
Reservations regarding "a true and fair view" and "Going Concern".
The situation as at 31[st ] December 2022 was unchanged from earlier years so I am using the text from 2018 prepared by Mark Holmes and me. For clarity it is italicised. The figures we inherited from the years to December 2013 and 2014 were both subject to audit qualifications. In these circumstances we are unable to satisfy ourselves as to the appropriateness of the original figures and in particular the analysis of restricted and unrestricted funds. This impacts on later figures, especially the analysis of the capital funds on 31[st ] December 2015 (the first period for which we were acting as independent accountants) as at the earlier year ends. On the other hand, readers may wish to note and take some comfort from the fact that funders have not responded to these qualified figures in such a way as to indicate that they were unhappy with the position revealed.
It is also necessary to state that in determining whether Coventry Irish Society ("CIS") is a going concern the accountant must be mindful that, like many charitable bodies, CIS's activities in both scale and direction are driven by the grants it is awarded. Changes in grants will impact CIS's future activities. This is not to say that CIS would not be able to continue but that its scope will always have to be adjusted to its resources.
Qualified Opinion on the financial statements.
In my opinion, except for the possible effects of the matters described in the Reservations regarding "a true and fair view" and "Going Concern" paragraphs, the financial statements:
give a true and fair view of the charitable company's affairs at 31[st ] December 2022
have been properly prepared in accordance with UK generally accepted accounting Practice (applicable to smaller entities), and
have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
Signed: SJLH Horsman
Print name: SIMON HORSMAN
Date: 29[th ] September 2023
COVENTRY IRISH SOCIETY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (Incorporating the Income and Expenditure Account For Years Ended December 31st
| COVENTRY IRISH SOCIETY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (Incorporating the Income and Expenditure Account For Years Ended December 31st |
COVENTRY IRISH SOCIETY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (Incorporating the Income and Expenditure Account For Years Ended December 31st |
COVENTRY IRISH SOCIETY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (Incorporating the Income and Expenditure Account For Years Ended December 31st |
COVENTRY IRISH SOCIETY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (Incorporating the Income and Expenditure Account For Years Ended December 31st |
COVENTRY IRISH SOCIETY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (Incorporating the Income and Expenditure Account For Years Ended December 31st |
COVENTRY IRISH SOCIETY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (Incorporating the Income and Expenditure Account For Years Ended December 31st |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted Funds |
Restricted Funds |
2022 | 2021 | ||
| INCOMING RESOURCES | |||||
| Donations and Fundraising | 6,289 | 6,289 | 3,586 | ||
| Membership & Sales | 1,345 | 1,345 | 940 |
||
| Emigrant Support Programme Less Clawback (see Note 2) |
83,663 | 83,663 | 57,483 | ||
| UK Lottery/Covid Grant | 215 | 215 | Nil |
||
| Other Grants | 1,050 | 1,050 | 3,000 |
||
| Total incoming resources | 8,684 | 83,878 |
92,562 | 65,009 |
|
| RESOURCES EXPENDED | |||||
| Staff costs (including NI) Covid Costs |
52,767 | 52,767 | 47,253 |
||
| Survivors' Project | 1,391 | 1,391 | |||
| Other Projects & Charitable Activities |
5,856 | 5,856 | |||
| Other expenses and support costs | 11,295 | 11,295 | 8,393 |
||
| Office Rent | 6,000 | 6,000 | 9,000 | ||
| Total resources expended | 17,151 | 60,158 |
77,309 | 64,646 | |
| Surplus/(Deficit) Net outgoing resources |
(8,467) | 23,720 |
15,253 | 363 |
| COVENTRY IRISH SOCIETY - BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31st DECEMBER |
||||
| 2022 | 2021 | |||
| FIXED ASSETS (Net Book Value) See Note 3 below |
35 | 52 | ||
| CURRENT ASSETS | ||||
| Bank and cash | 61,687 | 64,831 | ||
| Total Current Assets | 61,687 | 64,831 | ||
| CURRENT LIABILITIES | ||||
| Deferred income (ESP Grant) (see Note 2) |
(36,438) | (56,225) | ||
| Other Creditors | (150) | |||
| Accruals (Credit Card) | (551) | (393) | ||
| PAYE & NI | (592) | (327) | ||
| Total Current Liabilities | (38,481) | (56,945) | ||
| Net Current Assets (Working Capital) |
23,156 | 23,156 | 7,886 | 7,886 |
| TOTAL NET ASSETS | 23,191 | 7,938 | ||
| Surplus/(Deficit) for the Year |
15,253 | 363 | ||
| Fund Balances Brought Forward |
7,938 | 7,575 | ||
| Fund Balances Carried Forward |
23,191 | 7,938 | ||
| FUNDS | ||||
| Unrestricted funds | (56,754) | (48,287) | ||
| Restricted funds | 89,878 | 56,225 | ||
| TOTAL | 23,191 | 7,938 |
The Society decided in 2021to change the way it treats restricted funds to something more transparent. Restricted Funds are to be those funds which have been allocated to specific purposes and which, remaining unspent, therefore represent liabilities to be satisfied in the future. At 31[st] December 2022 these funds amounted to £37,581 (see Note 2). The balance, a negative balance of £7,490 (2021 £48,287 has been taken to Unrestricted Funds.
COVENTRY IRISH SOCIETY NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST ] DECEMBER 2022
NOTE 1. Accounting policies
-
(a) The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) "Accounting and Reporting by Charities" published in July 2014 and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standards for Smaller Entities (effective January 2015).
-
(b) The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis notwithstanding an overdrawn unrestricted funds position at 31[st ] December 2022. A reduction in funding from the principal funder from mid-2014 reduced the Society's income significantly but it has been stable for several years now. The trustees have taken widespread and substantial remedial to rectify the situation, and are confident that a positive position has been restored. The 2021-22 grant awards from the principal funder, albeit at a lower level than pre-2014, have been confirmed at the date of approval of the financial statements. The trustees, being mindful of all relevant factors, consider the Going Concern basis to be appropriate .
-
(c) Voluntary income is received by way of donations and gifts and is included in the full in the Statement of Financial Activities when receivable. The value of the services provided by volunteers has been included.
-
(d) Grants, including grants for the purchase of fixed assets, are recognised in full in the Statement of Financial Activities for the year in which they are receivable.
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(e) Incoming resources from investments are included when receivable.
-
(f) Resources expended are recognised in the period in which they are incurred. Resources expended include attributable VAT which cannot be recovered.
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(g) Resources expended are allocated to the particular activity where the cost relates directly to the activity.
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(h) Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost of each asset over its expected useful life, which is estimated at five years for furniture, four years for office equipment and three years for computers.
-
(i) Unrestricted funds are donations and other incoming resources receivable or generated for the objects of the charity without further specified purpose and are available as general funds.
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(j) Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the management committee for particular purposes.
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(k) Restricted funds are to be used for specific purposes as laid down by the donor. Expenditure which meets these criteria is charged to the fund, together with a fair allocation of management and support costs.
-
(l) Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the income and expenditure account on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease.
Note 2 Emigrant Support Programme (ESP)
Background
The Emigrant Support Programme funded by the Eireann Government makes up approximately 90% of the society’s income so it is important that these monies are accounted for both correctly and transparently. The grants work on a year from 1[st] July to 30[th] June so, in principle, given that the society works to the calendar year, half the grant will fall into the year it is received and half gets carried over to the following year. We say “in principle” because the timing of grants, especially if they are for specific purposes, can mean that simply halving the figure does not show a true and fair view.
2021 and 2022
In 2021 the Society received additional funding, somewhat late in the calendar year. With possibly excessive prudence (though this is always a matter of judgement), £56,225, was carried forward to 2022. £27,233 (half of the 2021 ESP grant and £30,250 (released from 2020) made up the 2021 income of £57,483 reported as Income for 2021. That £56,225, a larger sum than in recent years was released to Income for 2022 to combine with £27,438, 50% of the 2022 monies received of £54,875. The balance, the other 50% appears in the 2022 Balance Sheet as part of the Deferred Income.
£9,000 from a UK Lottery grant received late in 2022 carried forward to 2023 makes up the balance of the Deferred Income account.
DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS: EMIGRANT SUPPORT PROGRAMME Department of Foreign Affairs: The Emigrant Support Programme received grant of €93,000 for the year from 1st July 2022 to 30th June 2023. The funds were restricted for the following projects: Outreach Project £90,000, Lunch Club £2,000, St. Patrick's Day £1000. Six months grant income was utilised in the period to 31st December 2022. Six months grant income amounting to £59,300 has been deferred to the 2023 financial year and will be utilised by 30th June 2023.
For the financial year in question the company was entitled to exemption under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
No members have required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.
The Directors acknowledge their responsibility for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and for the preparation of accounts.
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable subject to the small companies' regime.
On behalf of the board
The financial statements were approved by the board of trustees on 29[th] September 2022
The annexed notes form part of these financial statements
Company Number: 08235510 Charity Number: 1150290
Print Name: Rory Ryan
Date: 29th September 2023
NOTE 3. Tangible fixed assets
| NOTE 3. Tangible fixed assets | NOTE 3. Tangible fixed assets | NOTE 3. Tangible fixed assets | NOTE 3. Tangible fixed assets | NOTE 3. Tangible fixed assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer | Furniture | Equipment | Total | |
| COST | ||||
| At 1st January 2022 | 5,490 | 5,196 | 1,978 | 12,664 |
| Additions | 0 | |||
| Disposals | 0 | |||
| At 31st December 2022 | 5,490 | 5,196 | 1,978 | 12,664 |
| Less DEPRECIATION | ||||
| At 1st January 2022 | 5,463 | 5,196 | 1,953 | 12,612 |
| Charge for the Year | 9 | 8 | 17 | |
| At 31st December 2022 | 5,472 | 5,196 | 1,961 | 12,629 |
| = NET BOOK VALUE | 18 | 0 | 17 | 35 |
| At 31st December 2022 |
NOTE 3. Taxation
No liability to UK corporation tax arises for the year ended 31[st ] December 2020 nor for any previous periods.
NOTE 4. Unrestricted funds
| NOTE 4. Unrestricted funds | NOTE 4. Unrestricted funds | NOTE 4. Unrestricted funds | NOTE 4. Unrestricted funds | NOTE 4. Unrestricted funds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opening Balance 1stJan’ |
Movement in resources In Out |
Closing Balance 31stDec; |
||
| Unrestricted funds | (48,287) | 8,684 | (17,151) | (56,754) |
| Restricted funds | 56,225 | 83,878 | (60,158) | 79,945 |
| Total | 7,938 | 92,562 | (77,309) | 23,191 |