Eastside Greenways Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) Year ended 31 March 2023 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 2023. Reference and admlnlstrative details Regl$tered charity name Eastside Greenways Charlty registration number NIC 100544 Company registration number N1615294 Prlncipal office and registered Avalon House office 2781280 N8Wtownards Road Belfast Co. Anlrim BT41HE The trustees K Alexander S Douglas M Gibson A Mcmurray E White R Hunter A Hassard A Montgomery J E Hennessey L Osborne C Purdy (Resigned 2 December 2022) (Resigned 2 December 2022) (Resigned 15 May 2023) (Resigned 2 December 2022) (Appointed 13 February 2023) (Appointed 13 February 2023) {Appointed 13 February 2023) Company secretary T Wilson Auditor Finegan Gibson Ltd Chartered aGcountants & statutory auditor Causeway Tower 9 Jame5 Street South Belfast BT2 8DN Bankers AIB 11-15 Donegall Square North Belfast BT15GB Solicitors Hewitt and Gilpin Thomas House 14-16 James Street South Belfast BT2 7GA
Eastside Greenways Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Directorfs Report) (Gontin¥md) Year ended 31 March 2023 stTUCturei governance and management Goveming Document Eastside Greenways is a company limited by guarantee and is a charity recognised by the Charity Commission for Nl. It is a nol for profit organisation. The company was established under a Memopndum of Association which established the objects and powers of the company and is governed under its Articles of Association. Appointment of trustees The Chaimian and the trustees recommend new trustees as needed. Naw trustees are recruited on the relevance of their skills, and their potential to be able to make a helpful contribution to the govemance of the charity. As part of this process they are made aware of a trustee's legal obligations under charity and company law, the content of the Memorandum and Articles of Association. the decision-making processes. the business plan and recent financial performance of the charity. Once the potential new trustee has agreed to b8 considered for appointment they can be co-opted by the directors until formal voting by members occurs at the next Annual General Meeting. Trustee inductlon and training A trustee induction process is in plac8 for all gmup compani8S. Organisation structure and how charity makes decisions Eastside Greenways is govemed by the board of directors. The company is managed on a day to day basis by a senior management team as appointed by the board of directors. The board of directors meets quarterly. and is appointed by the members at the AGM. A senior management team manages the day to day activities of the company, and reports on company performance to all board meetings. Arrangements for settlng pay and remuneratlon of key management personnel The directors consider the board of directors. who are the ¢harity's trustees. and the senior management team comprise 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 paty transalOn$ are disclosed in note 13 and note 20 to the accounts. The pay of the s8nior staff is set by reference to NICVA guidan and utilisation of NJC pay scales. In view of the nature of the charity. the directors benchmark against pay levels in other similar size charities run on a voluntary ba515 when appointing new members of key management.
Eastside Greenways Cornpany Llmited by Guarantee Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (¢ontlnu8d) Year ended 31 March 2023 Structurei governance and management (continutd) Relatlonships with relatedpartles None of our trustees re1ve remuneration or other benefit from their work with the charity. Risk management The company aims to mitigate the major risks it faces by implementation of the following procedures'.- Significant external risks to funding have led to the development of a strategi¢ plan which clearly identifies funding requirements going foard- and Intemal control risks are minimised by the implementatlon of procedures for authorisation of all transactions with a financial implication. Dlrectors The directors serving during the year were as follows:_ K Alexander S Douglas M Gibson A Hassard A Mcmurray A Montgomery E White R Hunter J E Hennessey L Osborne C Purdy
Eastside Greenways Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continu¢d) Year ended 31 March 2023 Objectlves and activities The Vision of Eastside Greenways is to support the development and use of the Connswater Community Greenway (CCG) as, 'An inspirational living landmark that is W811 used, vibrant, dynamic and sustainabl8. An attractive destination of outstanding qualty for everyone to enjoy., The key to achieving this wlll be the ability for people to live healthier lrfestyles in an improved physical environment. and enjoy the benefits of a safer, clean8r, gr88ner area valued by all residents and one that is attractive to visitors. Eastside Greenways supports the positive use of the CCG as a catslyst for the ongoing regeneration of the area making east Belfast greener, safar, cleaner, whilst connecting people and plaS and making it attractive to visitors. Eastside Greenways will optimise available resources. opportunities, 8xpertise and influen. The role of Eastside Greenways is to provide leadership, vision and coordination, and in partnership with Belfast City Council and others to provide funding to deliver Betfast'sl Nl's leading greenway. Eastside Greenways is committed to ensuring that Connswater Community Greenway is of a World Class slandard and to maximise the opportunities it can bring to the city. Working with other key partners. Eastside Greenways works to maximize the social, cultural. economic and environmental outcomes. improving the quality of lrfe for thousands of local people. ensuring the ongoing animation and suslainability of the CCG. Eastside Greenways does this by. Delivering programmes and projects on the CCG: Facilitating and initiating further development of the Greenway; Coordinating and connecting various stakeholders and partners on the CCG., Encouraging others to develop and provide services on the CCG: and Advocating for influence and investment. In its establishment as a charity, Eastside Greenways recognis8S the potential to build on the success and lessons leamed from the Conn5water Community Greenway by defining its object., To promote the use and sheer enjoyment of gen open spaces. parks, gardens. rivers and off - road transport roules in East Belfast and its environs and the sustainable planning, design, manag8ment, maintenanc6 and improvement of them for the benefit of the public.. It is Eastside Greenway's ambition to build on the success of the Connswaler Community Greenway by promoting and facilitating the delivery of a neOrk of greenways across east Belfast. that will integrate in to city and regional neOrkS known as the 'EastSide Greenways, concept plan. Eastside Greenways works in partnership wilh Belfast City Council to deliver the CCG underpinned by a Memorandum of Understanding and a legal agreement which was confirmed in 2020. The company employed 2 full lime members of staff during the course of the year, and managed a team of 5 Greenway Leaders and volunteers.
Eastside Greenways Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Directorfs Report) (conllnued) Year ended 31 March 2023 Achlevements and perforniance The CCG is a £40m project which has been constructed in phases. Phase l of the project (Orangefield and Victoria Parkl was completed in 2014 with Phase 2 completing in April 2017. The proj8Ct was officially launched in September 2017. Th8 project is now in a new phase of delivery, making the most of its potential to deliver social. economic and environmental outcomes for long term sustainability.
Eastside Greenways Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (contlnu8dJ Year ended 31 March 2023 Achievements and performance (contlnuedj Public benefrt report The work of Eastside Greenways was delivered under the below work5treams I themes to achieve the Trusfs ambition. Community and stakeholder engagement, pmmoting community development, community cohesion and volunteering ESG continue to att8nd stakehold8r and communty forums in east in order to engage with th8 community widely. ESG continue to attend. Youth Practitioners Forum. Community Development Café, Street Work fowm. SAFE Steering group. Health Forum and Dementia Friendly East Belfast. The annual animation programm8 was dalivered to support the positive use of the Connswater Community Greenway and support the strategic aims of the project. Wilh previou5 restrictions all but lifted, ESG were abl8 to deliver 8V8nts and activitias to the18V81 that it did pre-covid. Throughout the year we delivered; Schools engagement programme - X4 steering group meetings with local educators Schools engagement - hosted X4 school visiUa¢tivities to CCG Spring activities - Duck race, Easter Egg Hunt and Eco Workshop Delivered X3 Pilates Taster sessions Hosted X4 community engagement sessions Hosted X3 sit8 specific youth engagement sessions on CCG Delivered X3 targeted family activity sessions at Flora St Play Park Supported ESL Summer Scheme programme Delivered 'Living the Green Way, programme with X6 activities Supported X3 cornmunity events at C..S Lewis Square Supported the July Weekender events Supported X3 events as a part of the annual C.S. Lewis Festival Delivered the annual Bird Day event Weekly Walk Wednesday group continued. as did our twice monthly Gentle Walk programme for older people and people with mobility issues. We facilitated a six week Twilight Walk programme in November. with evening group walks on the Greenway. Our Adopt a Spot residents carried out 4 community clean ups on the Greenway and we facilitated 4 community and business clean up sessions Advancing education to create Training and Development opportunitiesi protect and enhance open and green spaces 5 Greenway Leaders continue to support the project at events and acliwties as well as carying out an 'Out and About. role. The 'Out and About, role includes engagement with users. observing and reporting any issues and Carrying out a litter pick. Approx. 3 Greenway Leader Out and About sessions take place each week now supported by our volunteers. Monthly Kick Sampling sessions continue to take place. led by our Greenway Leaders with data input through the Riverfty Partnership. This allows us to gather data on the quality of the water in the river along the Greenway, 3 public sessions were held which allows people to join in and leam about this work.
Eastside Greenways Company Llmlted by Guarantee Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continu¢d) Year ended 31 March 2023 Achievements and perfomiance fconllnued) We began delivering the new Legacy Project, youth development programme working with young people aged 16-25 from East Belfast, not currently in full time education or employment. We have a full time and part time staff member dedicated to this and have recruited X8 participants, beginning the programme in February 2023. Economlc regeneration thmugh Tours. Herltage, Trails Development and improvlng public access to the arts The annual Eastside Arts Festival took place including in person events. The Greenway was w811 utilised for outrjoor events throughout the festival. C.S. Lewis themed and Van Morri50n talks and tours continued to be carried out by local tour guides. The annual C.S. Lewis Festival took place with activity now focused on C.S. Lewis Square as a venue The Urban Market tskes place on the third Saturday of 8ach month in C.S. L8wis Square. supporting a wide range of local traders and products. We supported the regional Potters Market to take place In C..S Lewis Square in August 2022. We hosted X4 'pop up, animation sessions at C.S. Lewis Square with the aim to build on the element of a destination. Promoting use of the Greenway through marketing and communications. events. inftirmation sharing and awareness We hosted X10 visits to and presentations on CCG to a variety of organisations including local church groups, residents associations, University College London. Climate Nl. Funders, The Rivers Agency. Groundswell Consortium. international groups focused on grgenway development and more. We supported Belfast Healthy City as they developed a new 'Walking Bus" campaign using the Greenway and working with local schools. In recent years, issues such as climate change and building healthier, resilient and sustainable communities have come to the fore. further highlighted by strategic plans such as Belfast City Council's Resilien Strategy. An intemational focus on green recovery to rebuild and regenerate communities is being explored across many sectors. ESG has recently commissioned the Paul Hogarth Company to deliver public consultation which will lead to the development of a new report focusing on a future vision for CCG in light of climate change. Eastside Greenways and the Connswater Community Greenway are being highlighted by many organisations as an exemplar project in relation to improving urban green and blue 5paGes as w811 as engagement with local communities around the topic of climate change. ESG is a key partner in the Groundswell Consortium which is led by QUB in Belfast but also includes universities and partners from Edinburgh and Liverpool. Thi5 will lead to the development of new academic research. a model of best practice and the next phase of the PARC study. an impact evaluation study of CCG since opening in 2017. We have continued to support the use of the Greenway for external events, especially C.S. Lewis Square for example., Belfast Intemational Arts Festival. EBCDA Volunteer Event. Glentoran Family Fun Days, Potters Market and LINCS Cultural Event. with a focus going forward on income
Eastside Greenways Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continuvd) Year ended 31 March 2023 Achlevements and performance (continued) generation, Eastside Greenways has started to work wlth branding company Joumeyfor to develop a new branding campaign called Go Greenway which will include an online and offline ¢ommuni¢alions plan. Pmmotlng the enhancement and Improvement of the Greenway routes. physical activity and health Eastside GenWayS continue to facilitste the city wide Greenway Development Group which includes representation from; Belfast Harbour, Sustrans, DFI, Belfast City Council and West Belfast Partnership Board. The group have met X3 times this year and there is positive momenlum behind the group continuing to m8et and to shape the outcomes of this work. This relationship has helped with relationship building beeen different organisations to support cross working on greenway development. Three possible options for the new proposed Sydenham to Holywood cycle way have gone out to consultstion and ESG input into this consultation process. New lighting columns have been placed along the Comber Greenway which will allow for evening commuters to use the greenway. A new crossing at the entrance to the Cregagh Glen was completed in early 2023 making access to the glen from the top of the Cregagh Road and tharefore the Greenway, much safer. The Montgomery Road link as a part of the ESG Concept Plan has gone out for consultation The land adjacent to Connswater Community Centre including the car park has been identified for an upgrade as part of the CCG capital underspend which would complement C.S. Lewis Square and the wider Holywood ArGhe5 area. This work has stalled. particularly in light of ¢ovid and as capital funding becomes stretched, particularly with some of the key partners, it is important that we receive an update from BCC and EA on their decision for this space going forward. The weekly parkruns at Orangefield and Victoria Park started again In Summer 2021 and have laken place since then.
Eastside Greenways Company Limlted by Guarantee Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (¢ontlnu8dJ Year ended 31 March 2023 Financlal review The results for the year are sat out in detail on pages 17 & 18. The company returned a deficit for the year of (£77,137) (2022: £127,780 deficit). At 31 March 2023, the total funds of the charity amounted to £748.014, (2022: £825,151). Comprising restricted funds of £21.749 (2022.- £296), unrestricted funds of £36,586 (2021: £21,989) and endowment fund of £689,679 (2022.. £802,866). The unrestricted funds are essential to provide SLrfficient funds to cover any unforeseen costs which may arise and fulfill the18gal obligations of the charity in the event that current levels of income are not maintained. In February 2020 an award was made by Belfast City Council of endowment funding for the Continuance of the work of Eastside Greenways. The funding was agreed by the National Lottery Communities Fund as the remainder of their original award towards the development of the project. and is to be used by the company in pursuit of its strategic objectives for the long tenn delivery of the Connswater Community Greenway and the Eastside Greenways plan. Investment powers andpolicy The directors. having regard to the liquidty requirements of the organisation and to the reserves policy. will operate a policy of keeping available funds in an interest-bearing deposit account. Reserves pollcy and going Concern A policy has been implemented by the company in order to recognise the charivs requirements for reserves in light of the main risks to the organisation. It has eslablished a policy whereby the unrestricted funds not Committed should equate to belween 250/0 and 50 /0 of annual administration overheads. The aim is to provide sufficient funds to cover any unforeseen costs which may arise. as well as allowing for the payment of any liabilities which would arise should the company cease to operate. The company recognises that in its initial years of operation that such targets may maIn a5pirational. Plans for future periods The charity plans continuing the activities outlined above in forthcoming years subject to satisfactory funding arrangements. Trustses, responsibilities statement Th8 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 Unit8d Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally A¢pted Accounting Practice). 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.
Eastside Greenways Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Directorfs Report) (COnfinu•dJ Year ended 31 March 2023 In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to.. seleGt surtable accounting policies and then apply them consistentty., observe the methods and principles in the applicable Charities SORP-, make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent- prepare the financial statements on the going Gonrn 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 charty's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any lime the financial position of the charty and enable them lo ensure that the financial siatements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hen for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and delection of fraud and olher irregularilies. Auditor Each of the persons who is a trustee at the date of approval of this report confirms that.. so far as they are aware. there is no relevant audit infonnation of which the charity's auditor is unaware", and they have laken all steps that they ought to have taken as a trustee to make Ihemselves aware of any relevant audrt 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 1 December 2023 and signed on behalf of the board of trustees by.. 10