COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER: NI036168 CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER: NIC0100277
Forward South Partnership Company Limited by Guarantee Financial Statements 31 March 2025
Finegan Gibson Ltd Chartered accountants & statutory auditor Causeway Tower 9 James Street South Belfast BT2 8DN
Forward South Partnership
Company Limited by Guarantee
Financial Statements
Year ended 31 March 2025
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Trustees’ annual report (incorporating the director's report) | 1 |
| Independent auditor's report to the members | 12 |
| Statement of financial activities (including income and | |
| expenditure account) | 18 |
| Statement offinancial position | 19 |
| Statement of cash flows | 20 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 21 |
| The following pages do notform part ofthe financial statements | |
| Detailed statement of financial activities | 36 |
| Notestothedetailedstatementoffinancialactivities | 37 |
Forward South Partnership
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees’ Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report)
Year ended 31 March 2025
The trustees, who are also the directors for the purposes of company law, present their report and the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025.
Reference and administrative details
| Registered charity name | Forward South Partnership | |
|---|---|---|
| Charity registration number | NIC0100277 | |
| Company registration number | NI036168 | |
| Principal office and registered | 185-189 Lisburn Road | |
| office | Belfast | |
| BT9 7EL | ||
| The trustees | ||
| M Murray | ||
| R Finnegan | ||
| S Reid | (Resigned 15 January 2025) | |
| P McNeill | ||
| J Graham | ||
| T Brooks | ||
| H Crickard | ||
| G McAteer | (Resigned 2 September 2024) | |
| H Carey | ||
| G McKeown | ||
| T Kelly | ||
| R Rankin | ||
| S Jamison | (Resigned 1 May 2025) | |
| N Brennan | (Appointed 2 September 2024) | |
| C Arutura | ||
| C Shaw | ||
| Auditor | Finegan Gibson Ltd | |
| Chartered accountants & statutory | auditor | |
| Causeway Tower | ||
| 9 James Street South | ||
| Belfast | ||
| BT2 8DN | ||
| Bankers | Bank of Ireland | |
| 1 Donegall Square South | ||
| Belfast | ||
| BT1 5LR | ||
| Solicitors | Worthingtons Solictors | |
| 24-38 Gordon Street | ||
| Belfast | ||
| BT12LG |
1
Forward South Partnership
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees’ Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
Structure, governance and management
The Trustees present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025. The trustees, who are also directors of Forward South Partnership for the purposes of company law and who served during the year and up to the date of this report are set out on page 1.
Business Purpose
Forward South Partnership aims to strengthen and better target, efforts by the community, the private and public sectors through soft power to coordinate and drive the 4 pillars of regeneration - social, community, physical and economic to attract, persuade and influence, ensuring that South Belfast is an attractive place to live, work, visit and invest. A Board of Directors provides the strategic direction to the Partnership's regeneration activities.
Vision
Our vision is to have a strong and sustainable community infrastructure which contributes to a healthy, inclusive, connected, and prosperous South Belfast.
Core values
Our values reflect our commitment to a community development approach: « Community Empowerment - We believe our role is to support and enable others to make a difference in their own areas. ¢ Collective Action - We believe that there is power in groups and individuals coming together to advocate for change on areas of shared concern. e Working and Learning Together - We believe that by facilitating collaboration and sharing of expertise we can makea significant contribution to effectiveness of the community infrastructure of South Belfast.
e Social Justice - We believe that there should be fair and equitable access to resources and services for all residents of South Belfast.
e Equality and Anti-discrimination - We believe that the diversity of South Belfast is an asset to be supported and celebrated and that inclusion should underpin all that we do. e Early Intervention - We believe that by taking appropriate action early, we can prevent problems occurring or address them head on when they do and before they get worse.
The Forward South Partnership staff comprises: Chief Executive Officer (Part time), Operations Manager (Part time), Finance Manager (Part time), Office Manager (Part time), Urban Regeneration Officer (Part time), Strategic Health Development Officer (Full time), Community Health Capacity Worker (Part time), Holyland Capacity Worker (Part time) and Roma Hub Coordinator (Part time). The Board of Directors is comprised of representatives from the Community and Voluntary Sector, Political representation, public agencies, the Private Sector, and social partner interests, providing the strategic direction to the Partnership's regeneration activities.
2
Forward South Partnership
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees’ Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continueg)
Year ended 31 March 2025
Structure, governance and management (continued)
Governing Document
Forward South Partnership is a company limited by guarantee governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 10th March 1999 (and subsequently updated 16/01/2002 and 05/12/2012 and 05/12/2017) Forward South Partnership is a registered charity with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland. Forward South Partnership is a membership organisation with currently 20 members with 5 consultative observers, each of whom agrees to contribute £1 in the event of the charity winding up. Appointment of trustees The Chairman and the Trustees recruit and select new Trustees as set out in its governing document. New Trustees are recruited on the relevance of their professional skills, and their potential to be able to make a helpful contribution to the governance of the charity. The Partnership's recruitment of Board members is built around openness, transparency and democracy, ensuring that all South Belfast citizens are represented. As part of the recruitment process they are made aware of a Trustees' legal obligations and good practices under charity and company law, the content of the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the committee and decision-making processes, the business plans and recent financial performance of the charity (see induction and training).
Trustee induction and training
All new Board Members, serving as Directors or Observers receive guidance from the Chief Executive Officer, Finance & Admin Manager and/ or Chairperson along with a comprehensive induction pack including guidance on good practice in charity governance, governing document & sub-committee terms of reference, minutes of meetings, accounts and other documents to provide the necessary information to Board members in carrying out their duties in accordance with law and good practice.
Arrangements for setting pay and remuneration of key management personnel
The directors consider the board of directors, who are the charity's trustees, and the senior management team comprising the key management personnel of the charity in charge of directing and controlling, running and operating the charity on a day-to-day basis. All directors give of their time freely and no director received remuneration in the year. Details of directors' expenses and related party transactions are disclosed in note 12 & 23 to the accounts. The pay of the senior staff is based on NJC Salary Scales as a guide to appropriate remuneration for all staff. Pay levels are not currently subject to annual increments or cost of living rises.
Organisation structure and how charity makes decisions
The board of trustees, which can have up to 15 members, administers the charity. The Board normally meets at least 5 times per year with an Executive Committee comprising the Chief Executive Officer and Office Bearers, also meeting at least 5 times per year. As part of its structure, the Partnership operates additional thematic sub-committees that report and recommend to the Board, covering Economics, Community Support and Strategic Health, each with written terms of reference. A Chief Executive Officer is appointed by the trustees to manage the day-to-day operations of the charity including management of a staff team. To facilitate effective operations, the Chief Executive has delegated authority, within terms of delegation approved by the trustees, for operational matters including finance, employment and direct charitable activities.
Relationships with related parties
None of our trustees receive remuneration or other benefits from their work with the charity.
3
Forward South Partnership
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees’ Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continuea)
Year ended 31 March 2025
Structure, governance and management (continued)
Risk management
The trustees have a risk management strategy which comprises:
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° an annual review of the principal risks and uncertainties that the charity faces;
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° the establishment of policies, systems and procedures to mitigate those risks identified in the annual review; and
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e the implementation of procedures designed to minimise or manage any potential impact on the charity should those risks materialise.
Forward South Partnership current risk register is in place covering 2024-25 and is updated annually.
Commenced new strategy framework and 5 year plan for the organisation with QUB, Board and community input.
4
Forward South Partnership
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees’ Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continueg)
Year ended 31 March 2025
Objectives and activities
The Partnership's overarching strategic objectives have been have been set in response to external changes including:-
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e The draft Programme for Government with an emphasis on Outcomes Based Accountability. ° The establishment of Community Planning powers for local government (Belfast Agenda) of which South Belfast Economic, Health and Community Support Group are strategically aligned.
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° The establishment of local area working groups within Belfast City Council. ° The review of cross government Neighbourhood Renewal Programmes, anti-poverty infrastructure and regeneration strategies.
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° The potential for many grant funded programmes to be transferred to a commissioning model through procurement and tendering; and
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° The general drive within the community and voluntary sector to reduce costs, increase collaboration and work more efficiently.
The purposes of the charity are:-
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Advance community development by providing strategic and practical support to community and voluntary organisations in the area of benefit so as to increase their efficiency and effectiveness and to encourage such organisations to co-operate to achieve their aims.
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Promote urban regeneration and redevelopment and revitalisation of South Belfast by:
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i. Promoting trade and enterprise for the benefit of the general public;
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ii. Furthering training and employment opportunities;
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iii. Developing strategies for physical regeneration, access and improving the quality of life of the inhabitants of the area of benefit;
iv. Promoting cultural tourism, recreation and entertainment;
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v. Supporting community-based organisations concerned with housing, community safety and related issues.
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Promote good physical, mental and emotional health and well-being and facilitate the development of strategies that address health inequalities.
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Advance the arts, culture and heritage in the area of benefit by assisting in the initiation and development of festivals and other events and programmes and by encouraging community participation in arts and cultural activities.
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Promote good community relations, religious and racial harmony and equality and diversity.
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Promote such other charitable purposes as may from time to time be determined.
In shaping our objectives for the year and planning our activities, the trustees have considered the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit.
5
Forward South Partnership
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees’ Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continuea)
Year ended 31 March 2025
Achievements and performance
During the 2024-25 period, FSP can report on the following projects and evidence how they meet the aims and objectives and advance further purposes:
- Advance community development by providing strategic and practical support to community and voluntary organisations in the area of benefit so as to increase their efficiency and effectiveness and to encourage such organisations to co-operate to achieve their aims.
FSP work with community and voluntary sector organisations across South Belfast. Partnerships form a large part of our work including working with key statutory partners and private sector bodies, to develop the capacity of the groups & to improve outcomes for all in South Belfast particularly in relation to health and wellbeing, education and physical regeneration.
During the period, FSP administered the South Belfast Development Plan on behalf of the Public Health Agency providing Health and Wellbeing support to South Belfast. Organisations involved include: South Belfast Surestart, Ballynafeigh Community Development Agency, Chinese Welfare Association and Greater Village Regeneration Trust.
Our STEP programme has continued to provide CPD training for teachers and community educators across South Belfast.
2. Promote urban regeneration and redevelopment and revitalisation of South Belfast by:
We have worked with local residents to develop physical regeneration and improved connectedness between communities through our work with QUB Streetspace project, linking to Open Botanic festival in 2024 and our work within the Holyland area.
In the last year we have worked with local residents on developing lasting value. We've continued to future proof the Open Botanic festival which has encouraged cultural tourism & entertainment in the Botanic area. Our Holyland Winter Festival in 2024, again demonstrated culture, colour and music to the Holyland with a well-attended event in December with a finale event in City Church.
We have continued to support community-based organisations through our Community Support Group to help build capacity around housing and other issues affecting them. We've also supported Holyland residents around ongoing community safety concerns, continuing neighbourhood Q&A sessions to provide a forum for issues to be addressed in partnership with statutory agencies.
3. Promote good physical, mental and emotional health and well-being and facilitate the development of strategies that address health inequalities.
Forward South Partnership continues to deliver a range of health and wellbeing initiatives by Strategic Health Officer and South Belfast Community Health Capacity Worker. The Strategic Health Officer continued to provide strategic oversight to coordinating health and wellbeing initiatives in South Belfast including Finaghy Health and Wellbeing Day as part of Positive Ageing Month with over 70 attendees, South Belfast Dementia Friendly Information Day, Two Suicide Prevention Training with Papyrus, Sexual Violence and Vitim Blaming Session as part of Belfast City Council Work Ending Violence Against Women and Girls, Creation and Distribution of the South Belfast Winter Plan with 200 copies being distributed across South Belfast and delivery of 150 Christmas Dinners. FSP Community Health Capacity Worker continues to coordinate and deliver community capacity building and health and wellbeing programmes including ‘Older and Active’ and ‘Music for the Mind’ for those with Dementia, bringing a nostalgic look back at music and dance of the past, triggering positive memories for
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Forward South Partnership
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees’ Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continuea)
Year ended 31 March 2025
participants. FSP also continues to support a range of community groups in Belvoir, Taughmonagh, Lisburn Road and Finaghy areas. The South Belfast Social Supermarket was launched due to Cost-of-living pressures in South Belfast. It aims to give a wraparound service in terms of providing health information and access to services when clients are at their appointments. FSP have supported 991 individuals during this period. 4. Advance the arts, cultural and heritage and heritage heritage in the area of benefit by assisting benefit by assisting by assisting assisting in the initiation and development of festivals and other events and programmes and by encouraging community Participation in arts and cultural activities. 2024 saw our third Open Botanic Festival taking place in September, bringing communities together to share space and engage in learning of other cultures and ways of life. The festival showcased Botanic Avenue as a place that is fully accessible to pedestrians and cyclists and included live music and workshops as well as food, health, and community stalls. FSP worked closely with local community groups and businesses on Botanic Avenue. Local groups designed and created their own kiosk for the festival. In 2024 numbers doubled from the previous year as 5,386 people attended the day festival. The Holyland Winter festival format was changed to give local community groups more buy in to the event. The Holyland Capacity Officer facilitated the festival, organised the programme asking community groups to choose their event and gave them relevant funding to engage with the local community and produce their various activities.
- Advance the arts, cultural and heritage and heritage heritage in the area of benefit by assisting benefit by assisting by assisting assisting in the initiation and development of festivals and other events and programmes and by encouraging community Participation in arts and cultural activities.
The Holyland Winter festival was developed further in 2023 to encourage greater community involvement and ownership of the festival, including a Dong Zhi celebration with the Chinese Welfare Association, a carol service & community BBQ with Fitzroy Presbyterian Church and a sorcova making workshop with the Roma Women's Group.
5. Promote good community relations, religious and racial harmony and equality and diversity.
The Partnership has continued to engage with our community partners and statutory authorities to build relationships to address needs within South Belfast. Promoting good relations is intrinsic to our organisation and all aspects of our work. Our Community Support group continues to work within Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership areas and brings together representatives from all sections of the community in trying to build collaborative relationships on all sorts of issues.
We continue to support and reach out to our Roma community, one of the most marginalised groups in NI and work to build the capacity and confidence of the community and the relationship they have with neighbouring communities. Our Roma Hub worked to provide training, education and employment opportunities for the Roma community, access to healthcare and capacity building. The hub provides weekly appointments re EUSS application and welfare appointments through Advice NI and provides weekly English classes throughout the year.
The Seamless Transition in Education Programme works to ensure children and young people have the best possible start in life and that they live in a society in which equality of opportunity and good relations are promoted.
Racial tensions flared up in August 2024 with violence and damage to property in Sandy Row and Botanic Avenue. FSP was asked to administer funding raised by local community to repair the damage created by rioting. FSP also attended meetings relating to the response to the tensions with Statutory agencies.
The Holyland Capacity officer provided support to the local community in the Holyland area of Belfast and runs a monthly community connect forum in conjunction with PSNI, QUB, Belfast City Council and other statutory agencies. There is also a monthly litter pick within the area with local residents.
7
Forward South Partnership
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees’ Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
6. Promote such other charitable purposes as may from time to time be determined
In the last year Forward South Partnership has responded to emerging needs in the community around the cost-of-living crisis, racist attacks in the community and providing support & administering various funding and programmes to tackle these issues.
Year in Review
Forward South Partnership has had an incredibly busy and productive year in 2024/25. Our Strategic Plan has guided us in taking forward our goals and our ‘business as usual’ activity continued at pace. FSP continue to strengthen and develop as an organisation for the future, looking at developing our new workspace for the Partnership and the creation of a ‘common hub’.
In this regard, Forward South Partnership embarked on a process to find new premises as we were outgrowing our University Street building. The building was not fit for purpose for staff or our expanding programmes. We set up a task and finish group to discuss requirements and track progress for the project. We were able to apply for Belfast City Council’s ‘Vacant to Vibrant’ scheme which enabled us to scope out a suitable building and ensure it met our general specifications. By March 2025 we had secured new rental premises situated on the Lisburn Road, Belfast which we believe provides a much better location for the development and accessibility of our services. The Health and Wellbeing Work continues to grow with our Community Health Capacity programme delivering and supporting a number of programmes in partnership with community groups, statutory agencies and community and voluntary organisations such as Belvoir Older & Active, Taughmonagh Tea Dance, Dementia Friendly Carers Café and supporting a range of local groups with their health needs. Our Strategic Health and Wellbeing Officer programme is well-established with leading the coordination of the Winter Plan and PHA Project to support those most vulnerable in the winter months supporting and building capacity of local groups to deliver winter support initiatives. Additionally, leading in South Belfast Dementia Friendly initiative, South Belfast Community Response Plan, South Belfast Social Supermarket, Take 5 Projects and coordinating suicide prevention / mental health trainings. The Strategic Health & Community Health Programmes highlight the importance of tackling health inequalities and positively working collaboratively with local partners to deliver many initiatives across a range of sites in South Belfast. FSP continue to send out relevant Health and Wellbeing event information on a weekly basis to 519 contacts and highlights any suitable consultations, programmes and event information from the wider South Belfast area.
Our Community Support Group (CSG) supports groups and organisations right across South Belfast. They represent the diversity of South Belfast. One member of the CSG is nominated onto our Board as a Community Director. The issues, findings and recommendations of the CSG helps to inform our priorities in line with our strategic vision and desire to strengthen the voices of the communities we represent. Open Botanic in conjunction with the Street Space project/Queen's University Belfast staff, was further developed in 2024 working again with residents from Donegall Pass, the Holyland, Sandy Row, and other areas within S Belfast. They examined their experiences of and ideas about their local areas and then designed and created community kiosks to showcase the vibrant communities. The festival itself brought people out onto the main thoroughfare of Botanic Avenue, to reimagine the street for one afternoon as a space to bring people together over food, music and socialising and with no traffic. Numbers doubled in 2024 with 5386 people enjoying the festival and reporting a positive experience.
Our Roma Support Hub has continued to provide an invaluable frontline service to the Roma
8
Forward South Partnership
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees’ Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continuea)
Year ended 31 March 2025
community across Belfast, with welfare advice, EUSS support, and continued their weekly English language classes. Two members of the Roma support Hub attended Holocaust memorial day in London and gave a speech in front of royalty, the Prime Minister and other distinguished guests. The Roma women's group participated in workshops and cultural activities throughout the year, including a workshop on awareness of Breast Cancer, completing trips to local amenities, as well as some art and crafts workshops and health workshops eg. wreath making, healthy cooking. Our Roma Support Hub coordinator has regularly contributed to The Executive Office's Roma Thematic Working Group and has been called to deliver papers at Strasbourg on the work of the Roma Support Hub and the issues effecting the Roma community in Northern Ireland.
Our Seamless Transition Through Education Programme is well-established and continued at pace this year. Forward South Partnership is the lead partner for STEP, which is funded through the Department of Education WRAP Programme. Our STEP partner organisations are Sure Start, Sdlas, BSCR and Barnardos. STEP interventions support vulnerable and at-risk children, young people, parents, and families from pre-birth through to Post-Primary School; including children with additional needs and their families. Our programmes focus on the importance of emotional wellbeing, which in turn impacts positively on addressing educational underachievement, and community cohesion. STEP is an example of FSP supporting collaborative and cooperative practices between community and voluntary organisations.
FSP continued to support Community groups in the Holyland area. The Holyland Capacity worker has worked alongside the BCC Strategic Intervention worker in the area and has delivered several seasonal events within the local community & continued the Community Q&A sessions with statutory bodies. Highlights in the year were the Winter Festival that showcased the cultural diversity of the area. The Holyland community capacity worker also completed an assets review within the area. The assets audit aimed to take a community development approach. Every community has assets: physical facilities such as schools, churches, mosques, community centres, businesses, parks and outdoor spaces however, possibly the most important are the people and their strengths. The aim was to gauge what was available within the area, a 'Holyland community profile’ that mapped out the populations and organisations in the area and audited their strengths to ascertain the personal and organisational aspirations in the area. This audit will now shape the work of the Holyland Community Capacity Worker going forward.
Unfortunately, the cost-of-living crisis continued into this financial year, and Forward South Partnership played a key role in ensuring that emergency funding support got to those in need in the community. Our Social Supermarket delivered community meals and food support with wraparound services, alongside several community organisations, churches and schools in the area. The Social Supermarket operates on an appointment basis and is now open three days a week. Emergency food support is also offered when necessary. We provided a targeted Warm & Well scheme to over 55s in South Belfast with Winter Pressures funding support. The Strategic Health Officer created an updated cost-of-living guidebook to provide advice and help to be distributed by our partner community organisations, as well as coordinating the South Belfast National Energy Action Project, delivering targeted winter support in areas with highest levels of fuel poverty. Forward South Partnership made significant progress in 2024/5 towards building a more sustainable organisation that can meet the needs of the communities in South Belfast that we represent. We look forward to moving into 2025/26 with the same focus on our Strategic Plan and a clear ambition to deliver a healthy, inclusive, connected, and prosperous South Belfast.
9
Forward South Partnership
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees’ Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continuea)
Year ended 31 March 2025
Financial review
Reserves policy and going concern
Reserves are needed to bridge the timing gap between spending and receiving of income and to cover unplanned temporary shortfalls in income should they arise. Holding adequate reserves safeguards the provision of our services in the event of unexpected significant financial pressures. The trustees consider that the ideal level of reserves would be between three to six months expenditure excluding direct project costs which for the year ended 31 March 2025 would be between £116,199 and £232,398.
Unrestricted reserves freely available to spend, therefore excluding fixed assets, restricted reserves and designated reserves amounted to £97,238 which is below the target level. The trustee believe this represents a sufficient level of reserve to ensure that the going concern assumption is appropriate.
Plans for future periods
Forward South Partnership is an independent charity working to regenerate and sustain a healthy, happy and prosperous South Belfast. In doing so, FSP wishes to contribute to wider population outcomes by creating and sustain the conditions in which collaborative working and collective impact can happen. FSP normally has an enabling role, supporting coordinated work by local partners.
Our future plans which are based on our governing documents, our public benefit statement and team deliberation has identified 8 core outcomes which are conditions of wellbeing for everyone in the communities FSP serves.
The 3 strategic priorities are: Collaboration, Good Relations, Connectivity
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Flowing from these strategic priorities, FSP will measure the impact of our work with key priorities in the following areas:
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Collaboration - outcome: an effective infrastructure for collective impact
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Community development - outcome: connected, proactive and powerful communities
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¢ Economic development - outcome: a real income option in a sustainable economy
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e Physical development - outcome: a good environment for happy neighbourhoods
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¢ Good relations and community safety - outcome: harmonious, safe and diverse communities ° Arts, culture and heritage - outcome: cultural expression and participation for all « Education, potential - outcome: all young people have options ¢ Health - outcome: healthy people and helpful services
Within this:
FSP's core work as a backbone organisation will provide strategic direction, cultivate a culture of collaboration, promote evidence driven action, provide a collective community voice, mobilise resources and engage policy makers.
Trustees’ responsibilities statement
The trustees, who are also directors for the purposes of company law, are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
10
Forward South Partnership
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees’ Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continuea)
Year ended 31 March 2025
Company law requires the charity trustees to prepare financial statements for each year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, for that period.
In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
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e select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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° observe the methods and principles in the applicable Charities SORP;
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e make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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e prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charity's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Auditor
Each of the persons who is a trustee at the date of approval of this report confirms that:
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° so far as they are aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the charity's auditor is unaware; and
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e they have taken all steps that they ought to have taken as a trustee to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the charity's auditor is aware of that information.
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 3 December 2025 and signed on behalf of the board of trustees by:
H Crickard Trustee
11
Forward South Partnership
Company Limited by Guarantee
Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Forward South Partnership
Year ended 31 March 2025
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of Forward South Partnership (the 'charity') for the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise the statement of financial activities (including income and expenditure account), statement of financial position, statement of cash flows and the related notes, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including FRS 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
In our opinion the financial statements:
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° give a true and fair view of the state of the charity's affairs as at 31 March 2025 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then ended;
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° have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice;
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e have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and the provisions available for small entities, in the circumstances set out in note 24 to the financial statements, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
Conclusions relating to going concern
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation ofthe financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charity's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
12
Forward South Partnership
Company Limited by Guarantee
Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Forward South Partnership (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
Other information
The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditors report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.
In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:
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e the information given in the trustees' report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
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e the trustees’ report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
Matters on which we are required to report by exception
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charity and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the trustees' report.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
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e adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
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e the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
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e certain disclosures of trustees’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or
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e — _we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or
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e the trustees were not entitled to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the small companies regime and take advantage of the small companies' exemptions in preparing the directors' report and from the requirement to prepare a strategic report.
13
Forward South Partnership
Company Limited by Guarantee
Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Forward South Partnership (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
Responsibilities of trustees
As explained more fully in the trustees' responsibilities statement (set out on page 10-11), the trustees (who are also the directors for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
Our responsibility is to audit and express an opinion on the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and International Standards on Auditing (UK). Those standards require us to comply with the Financial Reporting Council's (FRC's) Ethical Standard for Auditors’, in the circumstances set out in note 24 to the financial statements.
In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charity's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
14
Forward South Partnership
Company Limited by Guarantee
Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Forward South Partnership (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:
In identifying and assessing risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, we considered the following:
-
e the nature of the industry and sector, control environment and business performance including the design of the remuneration policies, key drivers for directors' remuneration, bonus levels and performance targets;
-
¢ results of our enquiries of management about their own identification and assessment of the risks of irregularities;
-
e any matters we identified having obtained and reviewed documentation of their policies and procedures relating to:
-
e identifying, evaluating and complying with laws and regulations and whether management were aware of any instances of non-compliance;
-
e detecting and responding to the risks of fraud and whether management have knowledge of any actual, suspected or alleged fraud;
-
e the internal controls established to mitigate risks of fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations.
-
e the matters discussed among the audit engagement team including significant component audit teams and relevant internal specialists, including tax and valuations specialists regarding how and where fraud might occur in the financial statements and any potential indicators of fraud.
As a result of these procedures, we considered the opportunities and incentives that may exist within the organisation for fraud and identified the greatest potential for fraud. In common with all audits under ISAs (UK), we are also required to perform specific procedures to respond to the risk of management override.
We also obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks in operation, focusing on provisions of those laws and regulations that had a direct effect on the determination of material amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The key laws and regulations we considered in this context included ongoing compliance with the UK Companies Act and tax legislation.
In addition, we considered provisions of other laws and regulations that do not have a direct effect on the financial statements but compliance with which may be fundamental for their ability to operate or to avoid a material penalty.
15
Forward South Partnership
Company Limited by Guarantee
Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Forward South Partnership
(continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
As part of an audit in accordance with ISAs (UK), we exercise professional judgment and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also:
-
° Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.
-
° Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the internal control.
-
e Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by the trustees.
-
° Conclude on the appropriateness of the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the charity's ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditor's report to the related disclosures in the financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor's report. However, future events or conditions may cause the charity to cease to continue as a going concern.
-
e Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial statements, including the disclosures, and whether the financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.
16
Forward South Partnership
Company Limited by Guarantee
Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Forward South Partnership
(continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the charity's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity's members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Oe
=e SS aoe
Conor Dolan FCA (Senior Statutory Auditor)
For and on behalf of Finegan Gibson Ltd Chartered accountants & statutory auditor Causeway Tower 9 James Street South Belfast BT2 8DN
3 December 2025
17
Forward South Partnership
Company Limited by Guarantee
Statement of Financial Activities
(including income and expenditure account)
Year ended 31 March 2025
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | ||||
| funds | funds | Totalfunds | Total funds | ||
| Note | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Income and endowments | |||||
| Donations and legacies | 5 | 6,848 | 136,183 | 143,031 | - |
| Charitable activities | 6 | 5,218 | 847,209 | 852,427 | 840,279 |
| Total income | 12,066 | 983,392 | 995,458 | 840,279 | |
| Expenditure | |||||
| Expenditure on charitable activities | 7,8 | 134,224 | 876,481 | 1,010,705 | 773,814 |
| Total expenditure | 134,224 | 876,481 | 1,010,705 | 773,814 | |
| Net (expenditure)/income | (122,158) | 106,911 | (15,247) | 66,465 | |
| Transfers between funds | 108,844 | (108,844) | - | - | |
| Net movement in funds | (13,314) | (1,933) | (15,247) | 66,465 | |
| Reconciliation of funds | |||||
| Total funds brought forward | 116,829 | 44,454 | 161,283 | 94,818 | |
| Totalfundscarriedforward | 103,515 | 42,521 | 146,036 | 161,283 |
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
The notes on pages 21 to 35 form part of these financial statements.
18
Forward South Partnership
Company Limited by Guarantee
Statement of Financial Position
31 March 2025
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Note | £ | £ | |
| Fixed assets | |||
| Tangible fixed assets | 13 | 6,277 | - |
| Current assets | |||
| Debtors | 14 | 110,789 | 129,441 |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 136,601 | 116,933 | |
| 247,390 | 246,374 | ||
| Creditors: amounts falling due within one year | 15 | 107,631 | 85,091 |
| Net current assets | 139,759 | 161,283 | |
| Total assets less current liabilities | 146,036 | 161,283 | |
| Net assets | 146,036 | 161,283 | |
| Funds ofthe charity | |||
| Restricted funds | 42,521 | 44,454 | |
| Unrestricted funds | 103,515 | 116,829 | |
| Totalcharityfunds | 17 | 146,036 | 161,283 |
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 3 December 2025, and are signed on behalf of the board by:
----- Start of picture text -----
H Crickard
Trustee
/\ |
NA4
----- End of picture text -----
The notes on pages 21 to 35 form part of these financial statements.
19
Forward South Partnership
Company Limited by Guarantee
Statement of Cash Flows
Year ended 31 March 2025
----- Start of picture text -----
||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|2025|2024|
|£|£|
|Cash|flows|from|operating|activities|
|Net|(expenditure)/income|(15,247)|66,465|
|Adjustments|for:|
|Depreciation|of tangible|fixed|assets|2,093|1,944|
|Interest|payable|and|similar|charges|1,873|4,038|
|Accrued|expenses|444|690|
|Changes|in:|
|Trade|and|other|debtors|18,652|25,954|
|Trade|and|other|creditors|22,096|(18,483)|
|Cash|generated|from|operations|29,911|80,608|
|Interest|paid|(1,873)|(4,038)|
|Net|cash|from|operating|activities|28,038|76,570|
|Cash|flows|from|investing|activities|
|Purchase|of tangible|assets|(8,370)|-|
|Net|cash|used|in|investing|activities|(8,370)|-|
|Net|increase|in|cash|and|cash|equivalents|19,668|76,570|
|Cash|and|cash|equivalents|at|beginning|of year|116,933|40,363|
|Cash|and|cash|equivalents|at|end|of year|136,601|116,933|
----- End of picture text -----
The notes on pages 21 to 35 form part of these financial statements.
20
Forward South Partnership
Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the Financial Statements
Year ended 31 March 2025
1. General information
The charity is a public benefit entity and a private company limited by guarantee, registered in Northern Ireland and a registered charity in Northern Ireland. The address of the registered office is 185-189 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7EL.
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 Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008.
Forward South Partnership meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.
- 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.
Income tax
The Charity's activities fall within the exemptions afforded by the provisions of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988. Accordingly, there is no taxation charge in these accounts.
21
Forward South Partnership
Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
- Accounting policies (continued)
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.
Incoming resources
All incoming resources are included in the statement of financial activities when entitlement has passed to the charity; it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the charity and the amount can be reliably measured. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income:
-
° income from donations or grants is recognised when there is evidence of entitlement to the gift, receipt is probable and its amount can be measured reliably.
-
e legacy income is recognised when receipt is probable and entitlement is established.
-
e income from donated goods is measured at the fair value of the goods unless this is impractical to measure reliably, in which case the value is derived from the cost to the donor or the estimated resale value. Donated facilities and services are recognised in the accounts when received if the value can be reliably measured. No amounts are included for the contribution of general volunteers.
-
° income from contracts for the supply of services is recognised with the delivery of the contracted service. This is classified as unrestricted funds unless there is a contractual requirement for it to be spent on a particular purpose and returned if unspent, in which case it may be regarded as restricted.
22
Forward South Partnership
Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
- Accounting policies (continued)
Resources expended
Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered, and is classified under headings of the statement of financial activities to which it relates:
-
e expenditure on raising funds includes the costs of all fundraising activities, events, non-charitable trading activities, and the sale of donated goods.
-
) expenditure on charitable activities includes all costs incurred by a charity in undertaking activities that further its charitable aims for the benefit of its beneficiaries, including those support costs and costs relating to the governance of the charity apportioned to charitable activities.
-
° 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 to expenditure categories reflecting the use of the resource. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs are apportioned between the activities they contribute to on a reasonable, justifiable and consistent basis.
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.
An increase in the carrying amount of an asset as a result of a revaluation, is recognised in other recognised gains and losses, unless it reverses a charge for impairment that has previously been recognised as expenditure within the statement of financial activities. A decrease in the carrying amount of an asset as a result of revaluation, is recognised in other recognised gains and losses, except to which it offsets any previous revaluation gain, in which case the loss is shown within other recognised gains and losses on the statement of financial activities.
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:
Equipment
- 25% straight line
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.
23
Forward South Partnership
Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the Financial Statements (continueg)
Year ended 31 March 2025
3. Accounting policies (continued)
Impairment of fixed assets (continued)
For the purposes of impairment testing, when it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, an estimate is made of the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs. The cash-generating unit is the smallest identifiable group of assets that includes the asset and generates cash inflows that largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or groups of assets. For impairment testing of goodwill, the goodwill acquired in a business combination is, from the acquisition date, allocated to each of the cash-generating units that are expected to benefit from the synergies of the combination, irrespective of whether other assets or liabilities of the charity are assigned to those units.
Financial instruments
A financial asset or a financial liability is recognised only when the charity becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at the amount receivable or payable including any related transaction costs.
Current assets and current liabilities are subsequently measured at the cash or other consideration expected to be paid or received and not discounted.
Debt instruments are subsequently measured at amortised cost.
Where investments in shares are publicly traded or their fair value can otherwise be measured reliably, the investment is subsequently measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognised in income and expenditure. All other such investments are subsequently measured at cost less impairment.
Other financial instruments, including derivatives, are initially recognised at fair value, unless payment for an asset is deferred beyond normal business terms or financed at a rate of interest that is not a market rate, in which case the asset is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest for a similar debt instrument.
Other financial instruments are subsequently measured at fair value, with any changes recognised in the statement of financial activities, with the exception of hedging instruments in a designated hedging relationship.
Financial assets that are measured at cost or amortised cost are reviewed for objective evidence of impairment at the end of each reporting date. If there is objective evidence of impairment, an impairment loss is recognised under the appropriate heading in the statement of financial activities in which the initial gain was recognised.
For all equity instruments regardless of significance, and other financial assets that are individually significant, these are assessed individually for impairment. Other financial assets are either assessed individually or grouped on the basis of similar credit risk characteristics.
24
Forward South Partnership
Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the Financial Statements (continuea)
Year ended 31 March 2025
3. Accounting policies (continued)
Financial instruments (continued)
Any reversals of impairment are recognised immediately, to the extent that the reversal does not result in a carrying amount of the financial asset that exceeds what the carrying amount would have been had the impairment not previously been recognised.
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.
4. Limited by guarantee
Each of the members of the company has guaranteed to contribute to the assets of the company in the event of the same being wound up to the extent of £1.
- Donations and legacies
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total Funds | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | 2025 | |
| £ | E | £ | |
| Donations | |||
| Donations | 6,848 | - | 6,848 |
| Donations - GoFundMe | - | 136,183 | 136,183 |
| 6,848 | 136,183 | 143,031 | |
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total Funds | |
| Funds | Funds | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Donations | |||
| Donations | - | - | - |
| Donations-GoFundMe | - | = | - |
25
Forward South Partnership
Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the Financial Statements (continuea)
Year ended 31 March 2025
| 6. | Charitable activities | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total Funds | |||
| Funds | Funds | 2025 | |||
| £ | £ | £ | |||
| Department ofthe Communities | - Community | ||||
| Empowerment Division | - | 111,756 | 111,756 | ||
| BHSCT | - | 3,600 | 3,600 | ||
| PHA - Community Capacity Building in Belvoir & Milltown |
- | 51,626 | 51,626 | ||
| Belfast City Council | - | 3,058 | 3,058 | ||
| PHA - South Belfast Health Development | - | 44,307 | 44,307 | ||
| PHA - Health & Wellbeing Officer for South Belfast | - | 62,162 | 62,162 | ||
| National Lottery Community Funding - Social | |||||
| Supermarket | - | 10,000 | 10,000 | ||
| Roma Outreach Support International Roma Day | - | 2,062 | 2,062 | ||
| Department of Education- STEP | - | 258,000 | 258,000 | ||
| National Energy Action | - | = | - | ||
| Open Botanic | 4,886 | 31,885 | 36,771 | ||
| PHA Community Response Plan | - | 4,517 | 4,517 | ||
| BCC Community Festivals Fund | - | 7,167 | 7,167 | ||
| Clear | = | 5,082 | 5,082 | ||
| QUB- Roma Hub | - | - | - | ||
| BCC- Business Cluster | - | - | - | ||
| BCC- Making life bettertogether | - | - | - | ||
| Lottery-dormant accounts | - | = | = | ||
| BCC- Dementia Friend Support | - | 2,000 | 2,000 | ||
| PHA Winter Pressure | - | 10,800 | 10,800 | ||
| BCC- Holyland Capacity | - | 32,588 | 32,588 | ||
| Roma Support Hub | - | 123,763 | 123,763 | ||
| BCC Social Supermarket Fund | - | 49,500 | 49,500 | ||
| BHSCT Mental Health | - | - | - | ||
| Sure start - Roma Hub |
- | - | - | ||
| BCC Take 5 | - | - | - | ||
| DFC Jobstart | - | 23,657 | 23,657 | ||
| Other income | 332 | - | 332 | ||
| PHA | - | 3,715 | 3,715 | ||
| BCC - Good Relations | - | 5,964 | 5,964 | ||
| 5,218 | 847,209 | 852,427 |
26
Forward South Partnership
Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
6. Charitable activities (continued)
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total Funds | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Department ofthe Communities - Community | |||
| Empowerment Division | - | 104,689 | 104,689 |
| BHSCT | - | - | - |
| PHA - Community Capacity Building in Belvoir & | |||
| Milltown | - | 48,045 | 48,045 |
| Belfast City Council | - | 4,922 | 4,922 |
| PHA - South Belfast Health Development | - | 43,876 | 43,876 |
| PHA - Health & Wellbeing Officer for South Belfast | - | 60,540 | 60,540 |
| National Lottery Community Funding - Social | |||
| Supermarket | - | - | - |
| Roma Outreach Support International Roma Day | - | 8,707 | 8,707 |
| Department of Education- STEP | - | 250,000 | 250,000 |
| National Energy Action | - | 15,878 | 15,878 |
| Open Botanic | 20,073 | 12,000 | 32,073 |
| PHA Community Response Plan | - | 4,142 | 4,142 |
| BCC Community Festivals Fund | - | 8,740 | 8,740 |
| Clear | - | - | - |
| QUB- Roma Hub | ~ | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| BCC- Business Cluster | - | 25,000 | 25,000 |
| BCC- Making life better together | - | 3,999 | 3,999 |
| Lottery-dormant accounts | _ | 37,996 | 37,996 |
| BCC- Dementia Friend Support | - | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| PHA Winter Pressure | - | 10,000 | 10,000 |
| BCC- Holyland Capacity | - | 31,459 | 31,459 |
| Roma Support Hub | - | 120,053 | 120,053 |
| BCC Social Supermarket Fund | - | 23,620 | 23,620 |
| BHSCT Mental Health | - | 900 | 900 |
| Sure start - Roma Hub |
- | 500 | 500 |
| BCC Take 5 | - | 2,975 | 2,975 |
| DFC Jobstart | - | - | - |
| Other income | 165 | - | 165 |
| PHA | - | - | - |
| BCC - Good Relations | = | - | - |
| 20,238 | 820,041 | 840,279 |
27
Forward South Partnership
Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
7. Expenditure on charitable activities by fund type
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total Funds | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | 2025 | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Regeneration promotion | 108,798 | 819,225 | 928,023 |
| Support costs | 25,426 | 57,256 | 82,682 |
| 134,224 | 876,481 | 1,010,705 | |
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total Funds | |
| Funds | Funds | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Regeneration promotion | 68,830 | 641,650 | 710,480 |
| Support costs | 7,804 | 55,530 | 63,334 |
| 76,634 | 697,180 | 773,814 |
8. Expenditure on charitable activities by activity type
| Activities | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| undertaken | Total funds | Total fund | ||
| directly | Support costs | 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Regeneration promotion | 928,023 | 74,306 | 1,002,329 | 765,577 |
| Governance costs | - | 8,376 | 8,376 | 8,237 |
| 928,023 | 82,682 | 1,010,705 | 773,814 |
9. Analysis of support costs
| Analysis of | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Support | |||
| Costs | Total 2025 | Total 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Staff costs | 8,833 | 8,833 | 7,804 |
| Premises | 2,944 | 2,944 | 2,451 |
| Communications and IT | 5,168 | 5,168 | 4,237 |
| General office | 2,148 | 2,148 | 2,218 |
| Governance costs | 252 | 252 | 227 |
| Legal and other professional fees | 48,973 | 48,973 | 37,487 |
| Accountancy Fees | 14,364 | 14,364 | 8,910 |
| 82,682 | 82,682 | 63,334 |
28
Forward South Partnership
Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the Financial Statements (continuea)
Year ended 31 March 2025
10. Net (expenditure)/income
| Net (expenditure)/income is stated after charging/(crediting): | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Depreciation of tangible fixed assets | 2,093 | 1,944 | |
| Fees payable forthe audit ofthe financial statements | 4,092 | 3,939 | |
| 11. | Staff costs | ||
| The total staffcosts and employee benefits for the reporting period are analysed as | follows: | ||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| £ | E | ||
| Wages and salaries | 245,997 | 217,343 | |
| Social security costs | 15,345 | 14,028 | |
| Employer contributions to pension plans | 22,368 | 17,772 | |
| 283,710 | 249,143 |
The average head count of employees during the year was 11 (2024: 9).
No employee received employee benefits of more than £60,000 during the year (2024: 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 £127,753 (2024:£52,556).
- Trustee remuneration and expenses
The charity trustees were not paid or received any other benefits from employment with the Charity in the year (2024:£0). They were not reimbursed for any travel expenses during the year (2024: £0). No charity trustee received payment for professional or other services supplied to the charity. (2024: £0).
29
Forward South Partnership
Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the Financial Statements (continuea)
Year ended 31 March 2025
13. Tangible fixed assets
| Equipment | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | |||
| Cost | |||
| At1 April 2024 Additions |
61,522 8,370 |
||
| At 31 March 2025 | 69,892 | ||
| Depreciation | |||
| At 1 April 2024 | 61,522 | ||
| Charge forthe year | 2,093 | ||
| At 31 March 2025 | 63,615 | ||
| Carrying amount | |||
| At 31 March 2025 | 6,277 | ||
| At 31 March 2024 | - | ||
| 14. | Debtors | ||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| £ | £. | ||
| Trade debtors | 108,783 | 37,557 | |
| Prepayments and accrued income | 1,365 | 3,192 | |
| Other debtors | 641 | 88,692 | |
| 110,789 | 129,441 | ||
| 15. | Creditors: amounts falling due within one year | ||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Trade creditors | 88,159 | 14,183 | |
| Accruals and deferred income | 8,064 | 7,620 | |
| Social security and other taxes | 7,601 | 5,745 | |
| Other creditors | 3,807 | 57,543 | |
| 107,631 | 85,091 |
15. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
16. 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 £22,368 (2024: £17,772).
30
Forward South Partnership
Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued
Year ended 31 March 2025
17. Analysis of charitable funds
Unrestricted funds
| Unrestricted funds | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At | At 31 | ||||
| 1 April 2024 | Income | Expenditure | Transfers | March 2025 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Board- Unrestricted | 116,829 | 12,066 | (134,224) | 108,844 | 103,515 |
| At | At 31 | ||||
| 1 April 2023 | Income | Expenditure | Transfers | March 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Board- Unrestricted | 53,870 | 20,238 | (76,634) | 119,355 | 116,829 |
| Restricted funds | |||||
| At | At 31 | ||||
| 1 April 2024 | Income | Expenditure | Transfers | March 2025 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| PHA Belvoir | 1,350 | 51,626 | (33,516) | (16,461) | 2,999 |
| PHA Health | |||||
| Development | - | 44,307 | (39,442) | (4,865) | - |
| PHA - Small Grants | - | - | - | - | - |
| Lottery-Dormant | |||||
| Accounts | 30,666 | - | (7,741) | - | 22,925 |
| BCC-Making life better | |||||
| together | - | - | - | - | - |
| Dept of Education - | |||||
| STEP | - | 258,000 | (251,749) | (6,251) | - |
| BCC - Covid | - | - | - | - | - |
| DFC - Community | |||||
| Empowerment Division | - | 111,756 | (87,910) | (23,846) | - |
| Lottery - Digital Youth | - | - | - | - | - |
| PHA Strategic Health | - | 62,162 | (44,910) | (15,266) | 1,986 |
| QUB-Roma Hub | - | - | - | - | - |
| National Energy Action | - | - | - | - | - |
| BHSCT | - | - | - | - | - |
| BCC - Other | - | - | - | - | - |
| Surestart-Roma Hub | |||||
| BCC - Holylands | |||||
| Capacity | - | 32,588 | (29,632) | (2,956) | - |
| BCC - Covid Recovery | - | - | - | - | - |
| ROMA Support Hub | 5,365 | - | - | (5,365) | - |
| BCC- Covid Response | |||||
| Winter Hardship | - | - | - | - | - |
| Open Botanic | - | 31,885 | (31,885) | - | - |
| BCC- Social | |||||
| Supermarket Support | |||||
| Fund | - | 49,500 | (46,395) | (2,606) | 499 |
| BCC Community | |||||
| Festivals | - | - | - | - | - |
| BCCMediumGrant | - | - | - | - | - |
31
Forward South Partnership
Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
| 17. | Analysis of charitable funds (continued) | Analysis of charitable funds (continued) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feasibility Study | - | - | - | - | - | |
| CFNI | - | - | - | - | - | |
| DFC Job Start | - | 23,657 | (22,102) | (1,416) | 139 | |
| Lottery Social | ||||||
| Supermarket | - | 10,000 | (6,000) | - | 4,000 | |
| Community Fund Lottery | - | 123,763 | (90,756) | (27,969) | 5,038 | |
| GoFundMe | - | 136,183 | (136,183) | - | - | |
| BHSCT - Small Grants | - | 3,600 | (3,640) | 40 | - | |
| PHA - Small Grants | - | 22,259 | (18,238) | (3,877) | 144 | |
| BCC - Small Grants | 5,876 | 22,106 | (25,882) | 1,994 | 4,094 | |
| Other Projects | 1,197 | - | (500) | - | 697 | |
| 44,454 | 983,392 | (876,481) | (108,844) | 42,521 | ||
| At | At 31 | |||||
| 1 April 2023 | Income | Expenditure | Transfers | March 2024 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| PHA Belvoir | 5,004 | 48,045 | (31,805) | (19,894) | 1,350 | |
| PHA Health | ||||||
| Development PHA - Small Grants |
589 25 |
43,876 - |
(39,259) (25) |
(5,206) - |
- - |
|
| Lottery-Dormant | ||||||
| Accounts | - | 37,996 | (7,330) | - | 30,666 | |
| BCC-Making life better | ||||||
| together | - | 3,999 | (1,000) | (2,999) | - | |
| Dept of Education - | ||||||
| STEP | - | 250,000 | (244,259) | (5,741) | - | |
| BCC - Covid | 458 | - | (458) | - | - | |
| DFC - Community | ||||||
| Empowerment Division | - | 104,689 | (85,688) | (19,001) | - | |
| Lottery - Digital Youth | 8,179 | - | - | (8,179) | - | |
| PHA Strategic Health National Energy Action BHSCT BCC - Other |
2,146 - 247 239 |
60,540 15,878 - - |
(44,022) (15,160) (247) (239) |
(18,664) (718) - - |
- - - - |
|
| BCC - Holylands | ||||||
| Capacity | - | 31,459 | (28,878) | (2,581) | - | |
| BCC - Covid Recovery | 192 | - | (192) | - | - | |
| ROMA Support Hub | 14,212 | 120,053 | (88,512) | (40,388) | 5,365 | |
| BCC- Covid Response | ||||||
| Winter Hardship | 6,361 | - | - | (6,361) | - | |
| Open Botanic | - | 12,000 | (29,269) | 17,269 | - | |
| BCC- Social | ||||||
| Supermarket Support | ||||||
| Fund | - | 23,620 | (21,638) | (1,982) | - | |
| BCC Community | ||||||
| Festivals BCC Medium Grant |
- 51 |
8,740 4,922 |
(8,332) (4,473) |
(408) (500) |
- - |
|
| Feasibility Study | 4 | - | (4) | = | = | |
| CFNI | 2,079 | - | (1,779) | (300) | - |
32
Forward South Partnership
Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
| 17. | Analysis of charitable funds | (continued) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DFC Job Start | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Lottery Social | ||||||
| Supermarket | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Community Fund Lottery | = | - | - | = | - | |
| GoFundMe | - | - | - | - | ~_ | |
| BHSCT - Small Grants PHA - Small Grants |
- 1,162 |
3,875 14,142 |
(3,875) (11,602) |
= (3,702) |
= - |
|
| BCC - Small Grants | - | 34,707 | (28,831) | - | 5,876 | |
| Other Projects | - | 1,500 | (303) | - | 1,197 | |
| 40,948 | 820,041 | (697,180) | (119,355) | 44,454 |
Transfers have been made from restricted funds to unrestricted funds to reflect the contribution that restricted projects are required to make towards overhead and support costs. In addition, transfers have been made in respect of fixed assets purchased during the year using restricted funding which do not havea restriction over their ongoing use.
18. Analysis of net assets between funds
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total Funds | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | 2025 | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Tangible fixed assets | 6,277 | - | 6,277 |
| Current assets | 130,788 | 116,602 | 247,390 |
| Creditors less than 1 year | (33,550) | (74,081) | (107,631) |
| Net assets | 103,515 | 42,521 | 146,036 |
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total Funds | |
| Funds | Funds | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Tangible fixed assets | - | - | - |
| Current assets | 130,676 | 115,698 | 246,374 |
| Creditors less than 1 year | (13,847) | (71,244) | (85,091) |
| Netassets | 116,829 | 44,454 | 161,283 |
- Taxation
The Company is a registered charity, and as such is entitled to tax exemptions on income and profits in furtherance of the charity's primary objectives.
33
Forward South Partnership
Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
20. Going concern
The financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis which assumes that the charity will continue in operational existence of the foreseeable future. The validity of this assumption depends upon the continued support from the charity's funders. The charity is currently a going concern, however if unsuccessful in securing sufficient core funding, their ability to continue as a going concern may be uncertain.
If the charity was unable to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future, adjustments would have to be made to reduce the balance sheet values of assets to their recoverable amounts and to provide for the future liabilities that might arise, and to reclassify fixed assets and long term liabilities as current assets and current liabilities.
The directors believe that it is appropriate for the financial statements to be prepared on the going concern basis.
21. Analysis of changes in net debt
| At | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At | 1 | Apr 2024 | Cash flows | 31 Mar2025 | 2025 | ||||||
| £ | £ | £ | |||||||||
| Cash | at | bank | and | in | hand | 116,933 | 19,668 | 136,601 |
22. Contingencies
A contingent liability exists to repay grants and Trust monies received should certain conditions not be fulfilled by the charity. In the opinion of the Trustees, the terms of the Letters of Offers have been, or will be, complied with and no liability is expected.
23. Related parties
The Charity had no further related party transactions in the year other than those disclosed in Note 12.
24. Ethical standards
In common with many other businesses of our size and nature we use our auditors to prepare and submit returns to the tax authorities and assist with the preparation of the financial statements.
34
Forward South Partnership
Company Limited by Guarantee
Management Information
Year ended 31 March 2025
The following pages do not form part of the financial statements.
35
Forward South Partnership
Company Limited by Guarantee
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities
Year ended 31 March 2025
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||
| Income and endowments | |||
| Donations and legacies | |||
| Donations | 6,848 | ~ | |
| Donations - GoFundMe | 136,183 | - | |
| 143,031 | - | ||
| Charitable activities | |||
| Department ofthe Communities | - Community Empowerment Division | 111,756 | 104,689 |
| BHSCT | 3,600 | - | |
| PHA - Community Capacity Building in Belvoir & Milltown | 51,626 | 48,045 | |
| Belfast City Council | 3,058 | 4,922 | |
| PHA - South Belfast Health Development | 44,307 | 43,876 | |
| PHA - Health & Wellbeing Officer for South Belfast | 62,162 | 60,540 | |
| National Lottery Community Funding - Social Supermarket | 10,000 | - | |
| Roma Outreach Support International Roma Day | 2,062 | 8,707 | |
| Department of Education- STEP | 258,000 | 250,000 | |
| National Energy Action | - | 15,878 | |
| Open Botanic | 36,771 | 32,073 | |
| PHA Community Response Plan | 4,517 | 4,142 | |
| BCC Community Festivals Fund | 7,167 | 8,740 | |
| Clear | 5,082 | - | |
| QUB- Roma Hub | - | 1,000 | |
| BCC- Business Cluster | - | 25,000 | |
| BCC- Making life better together | - | 3,999 | |
| Lottery-dormant accounts | - | 37,996 | |
| BCC- Dementia Friend Support | 2,000 | 1,000 | |
| PHA Winter Pressure | 10,800 | 10,000 | |
| BCC- Holyland Capacity | 32,588 | 31,459 | |
| Roma Support Hub | 123,763 | 120,053 | |
| BCC Social Supermarket Fund | 49,500 | 23,620 | |
| BHSCT Mental Health | - | 900 | |
| Sure start - Roma Hub |
- | 500 | |
| BCC Take 5 | - | 2,975 | |
| DFC Jobstart | 23,657 | - | |
| Other income | 332 | 165 | |
| PHA | 3,715 | - | |
| BCC - Good Relations | 5,964 | - | |
| 852,427 | 840,279 | ||
| Totalincome | 995,458 | 840,279 |
36
Forward South Partnership
Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the Detailed Statement of Financial Activities
Year ended 31 March 2025
ea
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Expenditure on charitable activities | ||
| Regeneration promotion | ||
| Activities undertaken directly Wages and salaries Employers NIC Pension Costs |
237,164 15,345 22,368 |
209,539 14,028 17,772 |
| Rent | 27,585 | 19,300 |
| Light& heat Repairs & maintenance Other motor/travel costs |
5,195 26,732 - |
4,009 5,064 100 |
| Depreciation Food Provision |
2,093 5,177 |
1,944 27,293 |
| Travels, Transport and Mileages Rooms Hire |
2,107 1,621 |
1,795 3,076 |
| Belvoir project costs & Programme Facilitation Venue Hire/ Conference Costs |
- - |
300 435 |
| PHA -South Belfast Health Development Programme Costs Maintenance/Repairs Computer Maintenance Hospitality Training and Conferences Miscellaneous Programme Costs GoFundMe Distribution |
- - 7,172 5,835 - 23,053 136,183 |
39,258 99 7,914 1,784 310 32,081 - |
| STEP - Project costs Project Costs Bad debt write off |
- 409,726 667 |
197,824 126,555 - |
| 928,023 | 710,480 | |
| Support costs Wages and salaries Legal and other professional fees Consultancy Fees Insurance |
8,833 46,753 8,460 2,944 |
7,804 37,487 900 2,451 |
| Telephone Other office costs |
5,168 2,148 |
4,237 2,218 |
| 74,306 | 55,097 | |
| Governance costs | ||
| Accountancy fees Audit fees |
4,032 4,092 |
4,071 3,939 |
| Otherfinance costs | 252 | 227 |
| 8,376 | 8,237 | |
| Expenditure on charitable activities | 1,010,705 | 773,814 |
| Total expenditure | 1,010,705 | 773,814 |
| Net(expenditure)/income | (15,247) | 66,465 |
NN
37