Eastside Greenways
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report)
Year ended 31 March 2024
The trustees, who are also the director5 for the purposes of company law, present their report and the
financial statements of the charlty for the year ended 31 March 2024.
Reference and administratlve detalls
Reglstered charity name
Eastside Greenways
Charity reglstratlon number
NIC 100544
Company registration number N1615294
Prlnclpal offlce and reglstered Avalon House
office
2781280 Newtownards Road
Belfast
Co. Antrim
BT41HE
The trustees
M Gibson
A Mcmurray
E White
R Hunter
A Hassard
J E Hennessey
L Osborne
C Purdy
(Resigned 15 May 2023)
Company secretary
T Wilson
Auditor
Finegan Gibson Ltd
Chartered accountants & statutory auditor
Causeway Tower
9 James Street South
Belfast
BT2 8DN
Bankers
AIB
11-15 Donegall Square North
Belfast
BT15GB
Solicitors
Hewitt and Gilpln
8 High Street
Holywood
Co. Down
BT18 9AZ

Eastside Greenways
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Directorfs Report) {contlnu8d)
Year ended 31 March 2024
Structur8. governance and management
Governing Document
Eastside Greenways is a company limited by guarantee and is a charity recognised by the Charity
Commission for Nl. It is a not for profft organisation.
The company was established under a Memorandum of Assoclalion which established the objects and
powers of the company and is govemed under its Articles of Association.
Appolntment of trustees
The Chairperson and the trustees recommend new trustees as needed. New trustees are recruited on
the relevance of their skills. and their potential to be able to make a helpful contribution to the
governance of the charity. As part of Ihis 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 be considered for appointment they can be co-opted by
the directors until formal voting by members occurs at the next Annual General Meeting.
Trustee Induction and training
A trustee induction process is in place for all group companies.
Organisation structure and how charity makes decisions
Eastside Greenways is governed 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 perfomiance to all board meetings.
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 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. Detsils of directors, expenses and related
party transactions are disclosed in note 13 and note 20 to the accounts.
The pay of the senior staff is set by reference to NICVA guidance 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 basis when appointing new members of key management.

Eastside Greenways
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2024
Structure. governance and management (condnuedj
Relationships with related partles
None of our trustees receive remuneration or other benefit from their work with the charity.
Risk management
The company aims to mitigate the major risks it faces by implementstion of the following procedures:_
Significant external risks to funding have led to the development of a strategic plan which clearly
identifies funding requirements going forward., and
Internal control risks are minimised by the implementation of procedures for authorisation of all
transactions with a financial implication.
Directors
The directors serving during the year were as follows:.
M Gibson
A Hassard
A Mcmurray
E White
R Hunter
J E Hennessey
L Osbome
C Purdy

Eastside Greenways
Company Limlted by Guarantee
Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Directorfs Report) (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2024
Objectives 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 well used, vibrant, dynamic and sustainable. An attractive
destination of outstanding quality for everyone to enjoy.,
The key to achieving this will be the ability for people to live healthier lifestyles in an improved physical
environment, and enjoy the benefits of a safer, cleaner, greener 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, safer. Cleaner. whilst connecting people and places and
making it attractive to visitors. Eastside Greenways will optimise available resources. opportunities,
expertise and influence.
The role of Eastside Greenways is to provide leadership, vision and coordination. and in partnership
with Belfast Cty Council and others to provide funding to deliver Belfast'sl Nl's leading greenway.
Eastside Greenways is committed to ensuring that Connswater Community Greenway is of a World
Class standard 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 life for thousands of local people,
ensuring the ongoing animation and sustainability 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 recognises the potential to build on the success
and lessons leamed from the Connswater Community Greenway by defining its object.,
'To promote the use and sheer enjoyment of green open spaces, parks, gardens, rivers and off - road
transport routes in East Betfast and its environs and the sustainable planning, design, management,
maintenance and improvement of them for the benefit of the public.,
It is Eastside Greenway's ambition to build on the success of the Connswater Community Greenway
by promoting and facilitsting the delivery of a network of greenways across east Belfast. that will
integrate in to city and regional netsvorks known as the 'EastSide Greenways, concept plan.
Eastside Greenways works in partnership with 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 4 fijll time members of staff during the course of the year, and managed a
team of 6 Greenway Leaders and volunteers.

Eastside Greenways
Company Llmited by Guarantee
Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (eofttinued)
Year ended 31 March 2024
Achievements and performance
The CCG is a £40m project which has been constructed in phases. Phase 1 of the project
(Orangefield and Victoria Park) was completed in 2014 with Phase 2 completing in April 2017. The
project was officially launched in September 2017.
The 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.
Public beneflt report
The work of Eastside Greenways was delivered under the below workstreams I themes to achieve the
Trust's ambition.
Community and stakeholder engagement. pmmotlng community developmen¢ community
cohesion and volunteering
ESG continue to attend stakeholder and community forums in east in order to engage with the
community widely. ESG continue to attend" Youth Practitioners Forum, Community Development
Café. Street Work forum, Health Forum and Dementia Friendly East Belfast.
The annual animation programme was delivered to support the positive use of the Connswater
Community Greenway and support the strategic aims of the project.
Throughout the year we delivered:
Schools engagement programme - X1 steering group meetings with local educators
Schools engagement - hosted X2 school visitlactivities to CCG
We supported a careers day in a local primary school focusing on environmental careers
Spring activities - Duck race, community race and Easter Fayre
Delivered X3 Pilates Taster sessions, X3 Baby Boogie sessions and X3 Fitness Freddy sessions
on CCG
Hosted X4 community engagement sessions
Delivered X6 targeted family activity sessions at Flora St Play Park
Supported ESL Summer Scheme programme
Delivered 'LNing the Green Way Fayre
Supported X1 community event 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
Delivered Parkfest
Supported monthly bird watching group
Weekly Walk Wednesday group continued and our Gentle Walk programme for old8r people and
people with mobility issues became weekly rather than twice monthly.
Our Adopt a Spot residents carried out 4 community clean ups on the Greenway and we facilitated 2
business clean up sessions
We have developed a new partnership with RSPBNI and are one of 18 community based
organisations across Nl Included in a Nature Neighbourhoods cohort which feeds into the Peoples
Plan for Nature.
We have developed a new partnership with National Trust Belfast to co-develop and deliver s create
programme on CCG inspired by Blossom and including community engagement.

Eastside Greenways
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees. Annual Report {Incorporating the Directorfs Report) (conllnued)
Year ended 31 March 2024
Achievements and performance {condnued)
Advancing education to create fralning and Development opportunlties. protect and enhance
open and green spaces
7 Greenway Leaders continue to support the project at events and activities as well as carrying out an
'Out and About, role. The 'Out and About, role includes engagement with users. observing and
reporting any issues and carying out a litter pick. Approx. 3 Greenway Leader Out and About
sessions take place each week now supported by our volunteers. Monthly volunteer task days on
CCG take place.
Monthly Kick Sampling sessions continue tske place. led by our Greenway Leaders wÉth data input
through the Riverfly Partnership. This allows us to gather data on the quality of the water in the river
along the Gr88nway, 3 public sessions were held which allows people to join in and learn about this
work.
We continued to deliver 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 X15 young people who have
gained accredited and non accredited training, volunteering, personal development and career
development support.
Economic regeneratlon through Tours, Heritage, Trails Development and impmving public
access to the arts
The annual Eastside Arts Festival took place including in person events. The Greenway was well
utilis8d for outdoor events throughout the festival.
The annual C.S. L8wis Festival took place with activity now focused on C.S. Lewis Square as a venue
The Urban Market takes place seasonally to link in with our own programme so" Easter. September
(back to school). Halloween and Christmas.
We supported the Belfast International Arts Festival performance in C.S. Lewis Square
We supported the July Weekender at C.S. Lewis Square and art workshops on the Greenway
Promoting use of the Greenway through marketing and communications, events, inft)m7ation
sharing and awareness
We hosted visits and presentations on CCG to a varlety of organisations including University of
Cranfield, University of Ulster, QUB students and more. We also launched Belfast Healthy Cities
Green Map and supported the launch of the UK Tree Equity Score which took place at C.S.Lewis
Square. We also spoke to 6 different PDH and Master students using CCG as a cas8 Study on
dissertations and were asked to speak at muttiple webinars including Outdoor Partnership Nl on
community engagement in developing green spaces. FOSS on community engagement and National
Trust on adapting for Climate Change.
We hosted meetings with Julie Harrison when she was permanent secretary for DFI and Naomi Long.

Eastside Greenways
Company Llmited by Guarantee
Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2024
Achlevements and performance {¢ontlnued)
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 Resilience Strategy. An international focus on green recovery to rebuild and regenerate
communities is being explored across many sectors. ESG has developed a new report: Climate and
Nature Action: A Vision for the CCG which has been the focal point of a QUB led webinar and was
also presented at the Belfast City Council Resilience Board. CCG has been cited as a case study in
the Belfast Climate Action Plan
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 spaces as well as
engagement with local communities around the topic of climate change. ESG is a key partner in the
Groundswell Consortium whlch is led by QUB in Belfast but also includes universities and partners
from Edinburgh and Liverpool. This will lead to the development of new academic ￿Search. a Tnodel
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 extemal events. especialty C.S. Lewis
Square for example-, Belfast International Arts Festival, EBCDA Volunteer Event and LINCS Cultural
Event. With a focus going forward on income generation. Eastside Greenways has developed a new
Go Greenway Campaign which has clarified messaging around income generation for ESG as an
organisation and promotes donations, membership models. event booking. business partners and
more.
ESG has developed a new report Access and Inclusion on CCG alongside QUB and organisations
working in the area of access and inclusion such as Mae Murray Foundation, Disability Sport Nl, Age
Nl, Brain Injury Matters, Orchardville and more.
Promoting the enhancement and impmvement of the Greenway routss, physlcal activity and
health
Eastside Greenways continue to facilitate the city wide Greenway Development Group which includes
representation from; Belfast Harbour. Sustrans, DFI, Belfast City Council and West Belfast Partrjership
Board. The group met X3 times Ihis year.
ESG has been communicated with and included In consuftations around various developments In
CCG including the Sydenham Greenway, Montgomery Road and Island Street.
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 Arches area. This work has stalled, particularly in light of covid 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 taken
place since then. We have built new relationships with Glentoran Social Partnership and Victoria Park
Athletics Club.
We have supported the Residents, Association of Cherryvalley, Kensington and Shandon (RACKS)
by presenting at an annual meeting re possible greenway development here and connected them in
with Gavin Robinson M.P. around their concerns.

Eastside Greenways
Company Llmlted by Guarantee
Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (contlnu8dJ
Year ended 31 March 2024
Flnancial review
The results for the year are set out in detail on pages 16 & 17. The company retumed a deficit for the
year of (£112.289) (2023.. £77.137 deficit)
At 31 March 2024, the total funds of the charity amounted to £635,725, (2023: £748.014), comprising
restricted funds of £19,323 (2023: £21,749), unrestricted funds of £49,528 (2023: £36,586) and
endowment fund of £566,874 (2023: £689,679).
The unrestricted funds are essential to provide sufficient funds to cover any unforeseen cosls which
may arise and fulfill the legal obligations of the charity in the event that Gurrent 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 term delivery of the
Connswater Community Greenway and the Eastside Greenways plan.
Investment powers and policy
The directors, having regard to the liquidity requirements of the organisation and to the reserves
policy, will operate a policy of keeping available funds in an interest-bearing deposit account.
Reserves policy and going concern
A policy has been implemented by the company in ord8r to recognise the charivs requirements for
reserves in light of the main risks to the organisation. It has established a policy whereby the
unrestricted funds not committed should equate to between 25¥0 and 50Yo 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 remain
aspirational.
Plans for future perlods
The charity plans continuing the activities outlined above in forthcoming year5 subject to satisfactory
funding arrangements.
Trustees. responslbilities 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 Accept8d Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the charity trustees to prepare financial statements for each year which give a
true and fair view of the stste 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 Director's Report) (¢ontinueo)
Year ended 31 March 2024
In preparing these financial slatemenls. the trustees are required lo..
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently.,
observe the methods and principles in the applicable Charities SORP.,
make judgments and accounting eslimales thal are reasonable and prudent..
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless il is inappropriate lo presume
that the charity will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient lo show and
explain the chartly's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any lime the financial
position of the charily and enable them lo ensure that the financial statemen15 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 ol this report confirms that-.
so far as they are aware. there is no relevant audit information of which the charity's auditor is
unaware,. and
they have taken all steps that they ought lo have taken as a trustee lo make themselves aware of
any relevant audit information and lo 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 lo
the small companies exemption.
The trustees. annual report was approved on 6 December 2024 and signed on behalf of the board of
trustees by..
T Wilson
Charity Secretary