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← Belfast Hills Partnership Trust

2025-03-31-accounts

Registration number NI053189

Belfast Hills Partnership Trust Company limited by guarantee

Annual report and financial statements

for the year ended 31 March 2025

Belfast Hills Partnership Trust

Contents

Page
Trustees' report 1 - 10
Auditors' Report 11 - 14
Statement of Financial Activities 15
Balance sheet 16
Cash flow statement 17
Notes to the financial statements 18 - 29

Belfast Hills Partnership Trust

Trustees Report for the year ended 31 March 2025

The Trustees present their report with the audited financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025. The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the charity's Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Companies Act 2006 and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: 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 published in October 2019".

Reference and Administrative Information

Charity Name: Belfast Hills Partnership Trust Charity Registration number: NIC100859 Company Registration number: NI053189 Registered Office: 9 Social Economy Village, Hannahstown Hill, Belfast, BT17 0XS Business Address: 9 Social Economy Village, Hannahstown Hill, Belfast, BT17 0XS

Trustees

Mr C Chisholm Mr A Crean Mr E Cunningham Mr M Donnelly Mr R Drew Mr N Enright Ms J Ferguson Mr D Flinn Mr N Fraser Mr C Hamill Mr A McAuley Mr I McCurley Mr A McFarland Ms M Morgan

Independent examiner

McCreery Turkington Stockman LTD,1 Lanyon Quay, Belfast, BT1 3LG

Bankers

First Trust Bank Ltd, 35 University Road , Belfast, BT7 1ND

Solicitors

Cleaver Fulton Rankin, 50 Bedford Street, Belfast, BT2 7FW

Page 1

Belfast Hills Partnership Trust

Trustees Report for the year ended 31 March 2025

Objectives and activities

Charitable objectives

The company's charitable objects are:-

For the public benefit and in collaboration with those who live, work and own lands in the area: To protect conserve and maintain and to assist in and promote the protection conservation and maintenance of the character and amenities of the Belfast Hills their landscape countryside and environment

To encourage and assist farmers landowners and members of the public in their understanding of and practical action in support of the natural and built heritage of the Belfast Hills and to promotethe adoption and furthering of sustainable agricultural policies and practices whereby the conditions and quality of life of those living and farming there may be improved and the quality of the natural and built heritage maintained and enhanced for the benefit of all

To protect conserve maintain and manage and to assist in and promote the protection conservation maintenance and management of sites of biological and scientific importance

To protect conserve and maintain and to assist in and promote the protection conservation and maintenance of ancient sites monuments buildings and artefacts of historical architectural or constructional interest or merit in the Belfast Hills

To promote improved access to the Belfast Hills consonant always with the legitimate interests of farmers and other landowners living in the Belfast Hills and earning their livelihood therein and therefrom

To promote provide and manage visitor and other facilities in the Belfast Hills for general recreation or other leisure time occupation in the interests of social welfare and to encourage and enable members of the public to use and enjoy the same and so to advance their education with the object of improving their conditions of life.

Page 2

Belfast Hills Partnership Trust

Trustees Report for the year ended 31 March 2025

Aims of charity

The aims arising from the objects of the Belfast Hills Partnership Trust include:

How achievement of aims further objectives

Each of the above aims addresses our charitable objects directly and will achieve progress towards our long term objects.

Strategies for achieving aims and objectives

We achieve our aims and objectives by raising funds and employing staff to facilitate our work as directed by our Belfast Hills Partnership Integrated Management Plan 2023-2028 (as set out with the DEARA Environment Fund application) which sets out our strategic approach to carrying out our work across and range of areas.

Page 3

Belfast Hills Partnership Trust

Trustees Report

for the year ended 31 March 2025

Criteria or measures used to assess success

It is the detail of funding offers that often specify our specific outcomes and criteria. These are in turn incorporated in our Annual Work Plans. Success is therefore measured against these criteria and targets specified in both our plans and funder agreements.

The Charity pays due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the Charity should undertake.

Significant activities undertaken

Our main activities in the year 2024-25 have been within the following projects:

Use of volunteers

We make use of volunteers recruited and managed by our Volunteer and Outreach Officer across our projects. These carry out valuable regular weekly (every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday) field work. This includes practical wildlife improvements, surveys, monitoring and reporting plus assistance with office work. 642 days of volunteering time were gained, an equivalent of £64,100 value was gained. This included 95 new recruits along with a team of about 30 regular volunteers. 158 volunteers and members of the public were also trained in topics such as tree, wildflower, butterfly, moths and bee ID, along with badger, bat and reptile survey training. These volunteers are managed within a comprehensive suite of volunteer policies drawn up in conjunction with partner organisations such as Volunteer Now and regularly reviewed and amended.

Page 4

Belfast Hills Partnership Trust

Trustees Report for the year ended 31 March 2025

Strategic Report

The description under the Headings "Achievements and performance" and "Financial Review" meet the company law requirements for the trustees to present a strategic report.

Achievements and performance

Summary of main achievements

Our main achievements in 2024-25 are listed below under our Charity Objects:

Object 1. To protect conserve and maintain and to assist in and promote the protection conservation and maintenance of the character and amenities of the Belfast Hills their landscape countryside and environment

Object 2. To encourage and assist farmers landowners and members of the public in their understanding of and practical action in support of the natural and built heritage of the Belfast Hills and to promote the adoption and furthering of sustainable agricultural policies and practices whereby the conditions and quality of life of those living and farming there may be improved and the quality of the natural and built heritage maintained and enhanced for the benefit of all

Object 4. To protect conserve and maintain and to assist in and promote the protection conservation and maintenance of ancient sites monuments buildings and artefacts of historical architectural or constructional interest or merit in the Belfast Hills

Page 5

Belfast Hills Partnership Trust

Trustees Report

for the year ended 31 March 2025

Object 6. To promote provide and manage visitor and other facilities in the Belfast Hills for general recreation or other leisure time occupation in the interests of social welfare and to encourage and enable members of the public to use and enjoy the same and so to advance their education with the object of improving their conditions of life.

Financial Review

Review of financial position at the end of the reporting period

Although our major Landscape Partnership Scheme finished at the end of 2017-18, restricted reserves have been built up over the previous years to fund a Legacy Programme to continue key elements such as volunteering. Therefore, restricted reserves continue to decrease each year as the legacy fund is used. Our overall net movement of funds of 87,931 represents a decrease in restricted funds of -42,528 and increase in unrestricted reserves of £130,459. Restricted reserves total £337,094, while our unrestricted reserves which stands at £269,457. Total funds are now £606,551.

Page 6

Belfast Hills Partnership Trust

Trustees Report for the year ended 31 March 2025

Reserves policy (incl amount of reserves and why held, restricted funds, designated funds, free reserves against reserves policy)

Unrestricted funds are needed to provide funds which can be applied to specific projects to be undertaken at short notice and to cover the running costs of the Charity for a limited period, should there be a significant fall in projected income. It can also be a key asset to deal with increased inflation.

The Directors consider it prudent that unrestricted reserves should be sufficient to avoid the necessity of realising fixed assets held for the Charity's use and to cover six months unrestricted payroll and establishment costs, being £230,612.02. Unrestricted reserves held at 31 March 2025 were £269,457, equivalent to just over 6 months of the above costs.

Principal sources of income and how expenditure meets objectives

Our principal sources are spread across a number of main funders - Northern Ireland Environment Agency (1 April 2024 - 31 March 2028), Belfast City Council, Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council and Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council (Councils fund on an rolling basis) plus the National Lottery Community Fund which funds the Wild Youth Project (1 Jan 2022 - 28 Feb 2026). Wild Youth also receives match funding from the Breedon Group.

At the end of the financial year the letter of offer from NIEA was renegotiated hence the increase in income reported on page 12.

Our Woodland work is supported by the Woodland Trust and Belfast City Council's Million Trees Project. Of ongoing benefit is the funding from the Lottery Heritage Fund's 'Covid Recovery Employment and Skills Initiative for Heritage' programme to employ a Heritage Marketing Officer until Dec 2025.

We have continued to build on small contract projects such as provision of training, the Environmental Farming Scheme (EFS) farm plans and the Exploring the Belfast Hills activity programmes which all mark a positive broadening of income at an uncertain time.

Expenditure meets objectives efficiently and effectively due to well defined targets and strict ordering and expenditure authorisation procedures.

Significant events that affected financial performance

Costs continue to rise. Additional funding from NIEA for the period 2024-2028 will help counter this. Increased funding from ANBC and LCCC Councils was also secured, while BCC provided a one-off hardship funding only.

Page 7

Belfast Hills Partnership Trust

Trustees Report

for the year ended 31 March 2025

Risk factors

The BHP Risk Register continues to be a key document for mitigating risk, with increased costs, loss of personnel and interest group conflict being key threats. The increase in funding and associated staff pay review will help reduce risk levels.

Funding being withdrawn or coming to an end is a risk for all grant funded organisations, hence the need for a healthy reserve.

Factors affecting the financial position in future periods

Despite the financial stability due to our Environment Fund bid to NIEA some successful projects funding will come to an end over the next couple of years (e.g. Landscape Partnership Legacy Funding and Wild Youth), therefore securing alternative funding is a priority for us.

Inflation and salary increases will also decide to what extent we can afford and hold onto key staff and work areas.

Finally, in an increasingly unpredictable world opportunities for new work areas, policy changes and initiatives are likely to appear at relatively short notice so we need to be ready and able to take those opportunities as they arise.

Plans for future periods (including aims and objectives to achieve)

There is a need to tackle ongoing issues such as wildlife crime, illegal scrambling, fly-tipping which negatively impact upon the wider Belfast Hills; as well as work with our partners who own publicly accessible land to positively engage with the general public.

There are major changes mapped out for agriculture which we must prepare for in order to protect farming in the Belfast Hills and maximise its positive impact on the Hills environment.

We intend to build on our good progress made in provision and training in volunteering plus our 'hills for health' work.

Structure, governance and management Nature of governing document and how charity is constituted

Belfast Hills Partnership is a limited company and a charity registered with the Charity Commission NI. Our governing document is the Belfast Hills Partnership Trust Memorandum and Articles of Association. We are governed by a Board whose membership is strictly fixed in terms of representation by our Articles of Association.

Page 8

Belfast Hills Partnership Trust

Trustees Report for the year ended 31 March 2025

Methods to recruit and appoint new trustees

Trustees are appointed by our partner organisations independently from Belfast Hills Partnership in keeping with our Articles of Association. Members can also be co-opted by the Board to meet a particular expertise.

Indemnity provision for trustees

Trustees Liability is provided to a limit of £1 million.

Organisational structure and how charity makes decisions

Decisions are considered and made by the Belfast Hills Partnership Board either on an individual proposal basis or by inclusion in our detailed Business and Annual Work Plans as approved by our Board. It is the responsibility of the Partnership Manager to ensure the execution of these decisions and the reporting of works carried out back to the Board.

Working Groups and Sub-committees are formed to consider specific areas of work but can only make recommendations to the Board.

Induction and training of trustees

Trustees are brought through a set induction process which includes an explanation of duties, roles and responsibilities based on guidance supplied by the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA) and the Charity Commission of Northern Ireland. External training has been provided by NICVA when required.

Remuneration policy

Staff receive remuneration and travel expenses as per work contracts. Annual cost of living increases are awarded to staff as decided by the Board based on recommendations from the Finance and Audit Sub-committee (FASC). Within this financial year staff wages were aligned to the NICS pay scale and backdated to 1 April 2024 as agreed with NIEA and approved by the board.

Relationships with related parties

BHP places substantial emphasis on working with its internal and external partners to further its charitable objects. Relationships with these partners are based on principles of openness, honesty and clarity as to roles and responsibilities. BHP looks to form new positive relationships with additional organisations as opportunities arise.

Page 9

Belfast Hills Partnership Trust

Trustees Report for the year ended 31 March 2025

Statement of Trustees Responsibilities

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustee Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for the year. In preparing those financial statements the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Each of the trustees has confirmed that there is no information of which they are aware which is relevant to the examination, but of which the independent examiner is is unaware. They have further confirmed that they have taken appropriate steps to identify such relevant information and to establish that the independent examiner is aware of such information.

This report was approved by the Board on 2nd October 2025

Trustee …………………………..

Page 10

Belfast Hills Partnership Trust

Independent auditors' report to the members of Belfast Hills Partnership Trust

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Belfast Hills Partnership Trust for the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities , the Balance Sheet, the Cash Flow Statement and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies.The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 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:

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 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 of the 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 charitable company'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.

However, as we cannot predict all future events or conditions and as subsequent events may result in outcomes that are inconsistent with judgements that were reasonable at the time they were made, the absence of reference to a material uncertainty in this auditor’s report is not a guarantee that the Company will continue in operation. Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the accounts and our auditors report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information. Our opinion on the accounts does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. In connection with our audit of the accounts, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the accounts 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 accounts 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.

Page 11

Belfast Hills Partnership Trust

Independent auditors' report to the members of Belfast Hills Partnership Trust continued

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of our audit:

the information given in the trustees' Report, which includes the directors’ report prepared for the purposes of company law, for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and

the directors’ report included within 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 andunderstanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the directors’ report included within 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:

returns; or

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the Statement of trustees' Responsibilities, the trustees, who are also the Directors of the charity for the purpose of company law, are responsible for the preparation of the accounts and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the committee determine is necessary to enable the preparation of accounts that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the accounts, 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.

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.

Page 12

Belfast Hills Partnership Trust

Extent to which the audit was capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud

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:

We identified the areas of laws and regulations that could reasonably be expected to have a material effect on the financial statements and risks of material misstatement due to fraud, using our understanding of the entity's industry, regulatory environment and other external factors and inquiry with the Trustees. In addition, our risk assessment procedures included: inquiring with the Trustees as to the charities policies and procedures regarding compliance with laws and regulations and prevention and detection of fraud; inquiring whether the Trustees have knowledge of any actual or suspected non-compliance with laws or regulations or alleged fraud; inspecting the charities regulatory and legal correspondence; and reading Board minutes.

We discussed identified laws and regulations, fraud risk factors and the need to remain alert among the audit team.

The charity is subject to laws and regulations that directly affect the financial statements charity and financial reporting legislation. We assessed the extent of compliance with these laws and regulations as part of our procedures on the related financial statement items, including assessing the financial statement disclosures and agreeing them to supporting documentation when necessary.

The charity is subject to many other laws and regulations where the consequences of non-compliance could have a material effect on amounts or disclosures in the financial statements, for instance through the imposition of fines or litigation. We identified the following areas as those most likely to have such an effect: health and safety, anti-bribery, employment law, environmental law.

Auditing standards limit the required audit procedures to identify non-compliance with these non-direct laws and regulations to inquiry of the Trustees and inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any. These limited procedures did not identify actual or suspected non- compliance.

We assessed events or conditions that could indicate an incentive or pressure to commit fraud or provide an opportunity to commit fraud. As required by auditing standards, we performed procedures to address the risk of management override of controls. On this audit we do not believe there is a fraud risk related to revenue recognition. We did not identify any additional fraud risks.

In response to risk of fraud, we also performed procedures including: identifying journal entries to test based on risk criteria and comparing the identified entries to supporting documentation; evaluating the business purpose of significant unusual transactions; assessing significant accounting estimates for bias; and assessing the disclosures in the financial statements.

Owing to the inherent limitations of an audit, there is an unavoidable risk that we may not have detected some material misstatements in the financial statements, even though we have properly planned and performed our audit in accordance with auditing standards. For example, the further removed non- compliance with laws and regulations (irregularities) is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely the inherently limited procedures required by auditing standards would identify it.

Page 13

Belfast Hills Partnership Trust

In addition, as with any audit, there remains a higher risk of non-detection of irregularities, as these may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal controls. We are not responsible for preventing non-compliance and cannot be expected to detect non- compliance with all laws and regulations.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the accounts is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: http://www.frc.org.uk/auditors responsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.

The purpose of our audit work and to whom we owe our responsibilities

This report is made solely to the charitable company'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 charitable company's members those matters we are required to state to tem in an auditors' 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 charitable company and the charitable company's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Richard McClay FCA (Senior Statutory Auditor) For and on behalf of McCreery Turkington Stockman LTD Chartered Accountants Registered Auditors 1 Lanyon Quay Belfast BT1 3LG

2 October 2025

Page 14

Belfast Hills Partnership Trust

Statement of Financial Activities (Including Summary Income and Expenditure Account) for the year ended 31 March 2025

Unrestricted Restricted
Funds Funds Total Total
2025 2025 2025 2024
Income from: Notes £ £ £ £
Charitable activities 3 348,714 276,732 625,446 458,545
Total incoming resources 348,714 276,732 625,446 458,545
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities 4 (218,697 ) (318,818 ) (537,515 ) (494,530 )
Total resources expended (218,697 ) (318,818 ) (537,515 ) (494,530 )
Transfer between reserves 442 (442 ) - -
Net movement on funds 130,459 (42,528 ) 87,931 (35,985 )
Fund balances brought forward 138,998 379,622 518,620 554,605
Fund balances carried forward 269,457 337,094 606,551 518,620

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006.

The notes on pages 18 to 29 form an integral part of these financial statements.

Page 15

Belfast Hills Partnership Trust

Balance sheet as at 31 March 2025

Notes
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
7
Current assets
Debtors
9
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: amounts falling
due within one year
10
Net current assets
Net assets
Capital and reserves
Restricted funds
11
Unrestricted funds
12
Total funds		 2025
£
198,534
423,382
621,916
)
(25,602		 £
10,237
596,314
606,551
337,094
269,457
606,551		 2024
£
24,833
512,940
537,773
)
(31,282		 £
12,129
506,491
518,620
379,622
138,998
518,620

The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 2 October 2025 and signed and approved for issue on its behalf by

Trustee

Trustee

The notes on pages 18 to 29 form an integral part of these financial statements.

Page 16

Belfast Hills Partnership Trust

Cash flow statement

for the year ended 31 March 2025

2025
£
Cash generated from operations
Net income / (expenditure) for the year
87,931
Depreciation
2,612
(Increase) in debtors
)
(173,701
(Decrease) in creditors
)
(5,680
Investment income recognised in statement of financial activities
-
Net cash outflow from operating activities
)
(88,838
Cash flow statement
Net cash outflow from operating activities
)
(88,838
Cash flow from investing activities
Payments to acquire tangible fixed assets
)
(720
Decrease in cash in the year
)
(89,558
Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net funds
Decrease in cash in the year
)
(89,558
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 April 2024
512,940
Cash and cash equivalents at 31 March 2025
423,382		 2024
£
)
(35,985
3,112
78,717
3,629
-
49,473
49,473
)
(8,631
40,842
40,842
472,098
512,940

Page 17

Belfast Hills Partnership Trust

Notes to the financial statements

for the year ended 31 March 2025

1. Accounting policies

Company information

Belfast Hills Partnership Trust is a Company limited by guarantee, registered in Northern Ireland. The address of the registered office is 9 Social Economy Village, Hannahstown Hill, Belfast, BT17 0XS.

1.1. Accounting convention

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the charity's Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Companies Act 2006 and “Accounting and Reporting by Charities: 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 published in October 2019". The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the company. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

1.2. Going concern

At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

1.3. Charitable funds

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives unless the funds have been designated for other purposes.

Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.

1.4. Incoming resources

Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.

Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation. Donated assets are included in the Balance Sheet at their current value at the date of the gift and also included in the Statement of Financial Activities as an incoming resource.

Legacies are recognised on receipt or otherwise if the charity has been notified of an impending distribution, the amount is known, and receipt is expected. If the amount is not known, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset.

Income from government and other grants, whether capital or revenue grants, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.

Page 18

Belfast Hills Partnership Trust

Notes to the financial statements

for the year ended 31 March 2025

.................... continued

1.5. Resources expended

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs relating to either charitable activities or governance.

Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with use of resources. The allocation is based on the apportionment of wages and salaries between administration costs and production costs.

1.6. Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less residual value of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows:

Fixtures, fittings - and equipment 20% reducing balance Motor vehicles - 33.33% reducing balance

At each reporting period end date, the Company reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any). Where it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, the Company estimates the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs.

Recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset for which the estimates of future cash flows have not been adjusted.

If the recoverable amount of an asset (or cash-generating unit) is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is reduced to its recoverable amount. An impairment loss is recognised immediately in profit and loss, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation decrease.

1.7. Cash at bank and in hand

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand and deposits held at call with banks.

Page 19

Belfast Hills Partnership Trust

Notes to the financial statements

for the year ended 31 March 2025

.................... continued

1.8. Financial Instruments

The Company has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

Financial instruments are recognised in the Company's balance sheet when the Company becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Basic financial assets

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

Classification of financial liabilities

Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the Company after deducting all of its liabilities.

Basic financial liabilities

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors, bank loans, loans from fellow group companies and preference shares that are classified as debt, are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Page 20

Belfast Hills Partnership Trust

Notes to the financial statements

for the year ended 31 March 2025

.................... continued

1.9. Equity instruments

Income recognition

Equity instruments issued by the Company are recorded at the proceeds received, net of direct issue costs. Dividends payable on equity instruments are recognised as liabilities once they are no longer at the discretion of the Company.

1.10. Provisions

Provisions are recognised when the Company has a legal or constructive present obligation as a result of a past event, it is probable that the Company will be required to settle that obligation and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation.

The amount recognised as a provision is the best estimate of the consideration required to settle the present obligation at the reporting end date, taking into account the risks and uncertainties surrounding the obligation.

Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the amount expected to be required to settle the obligation is recognised at present value. When a provision in measured at present value the unwinding of the discount is recognised as a finance cost in profit and loss in the period it arises.

1.11. Employee benefits

The costs of short-term employee benefits are recognised as a liability and an expense, unless those costs are required to be recognised as part of the cost of stock or fixed assets.

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the company is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

1.12 Critical accounting estimates and judgements

In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

There were no critical accounting estimates or judgements made by the Trustees.

Page 21

Belfast Hills Partnership Trust

Notes to the financial statements

for the year ended 31 March 2025

.................... continued

2. Employees

Number of employees
The average monthly numbers of employees during the year was
Administration
Employment costs
Wages, social security and pension costs
Employers national insurance
Employers pension costs		 2025
14
2025
£
332,850
24,797
19,199
376,846		 2024
14
2024
£
301,215
20,851
17,776
339,842

There were no employees earning over £60,000 in the two years ended 31 March 2025.

Page 22

Belfast Hills Partnership Trust

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

.................... continued
3.
Belfast Hills Landscape
Partnership Partnership
Project
Scheme
£
£
Charitable activities
Performance
related grants
336,958
15,011
Other income
11,756
4,037
348,714
19,048
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds
348,714
-
Restricted funds
-
19,048
348,714
19,048
For the year ended 31 March 2024
Unrestricted funds
193,149
-
Restricted funds
-
21,874
193,149
21,874		 New to Woodland
Nature
Project
£
£
3,540
23,693
-
-
3,540
23,693
-
-
3,540
23,693
3,540
23,693
-
-
17,359
55,212
17,359
55,212		 New to Woodland
Nature
Project
£
£
3,540
23,693
-
-
3,540
23,693
-
-
3,540
23,693
3,540
23,693
-
-
17,359
55,212
17,359
55,212		 Wild
Cresi
Youth
Fund
£
£
137,882 43,263
-
-		 Million
Growing
Trees
Jobstart
Healthy
£
£
£
20,000
-
9,849
-
8,964
-
20,000
8,964
9,849
-
-
-
20,000
8,964
9,849
20,000
8,964
9,849
-
-
-
31,000
-
-
31,000
-
-		 Colin
Take 5
Habitat
Total
Pond
Steps
Project
2025
£
£
£
£
8,493
2,000
-
600,689
-
-
-
24,757
8,493
2,000
-
625,446
-
-
-
348,714
8,493
2,000
-
276,732
8,493
2,000
-
625,446
-
-
-
-
-
5,795
-
-
5,795		 Total
2024
£
414,785
43,760
23,693 137,882 43,263 458,545
-
23,693		 -
-
137,882 43,263		 193,149
265,396
23,693 137,882 43,263
-
55,212		 -
-
134,156
-
55,212 134,156
-		 458,545

Page 23

Belfast Hills Partnership Trust

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

.................... continued

Performance related grants

Belfast Hills Landscape
Partnership Partnership
Project
Scheme
£
£
NIEA
245,684
-
NL Community Fund
-
-
Antrim BC
16,258
2,778
Belfast CC
39,790
8,180
Lisburn CC
16,717
4,053
Groundwork
-
-
BHSCT
18,509
-
Whitemountain Quarries
-
-
NL Heritage Fund
-
-
Woodland Trust
-
-
Groundswell
-
-
West Belfast GP's
-
-
Contract Income
-
-
336,958
15,011		 New to Woodland
Nature
Project
£
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
3,540
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
19,472
-
-
-
-
-
4,221
3,540
23,693		 New to Woodland
Nature
Project
£
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
3,540
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
19,472
-
-
-
-
-
4,221
3,540
23,693		 Wild
Cresi
Youth
Fund
£
£
-
-
125,732
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
11,250
-
- 43,263
-
-
-
-
-
-
900
-		 Million Growing
Colin
Trees
Healthy
Pond
£
£
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
20,000
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
5,849
-
-
4,000
-
-
-
8,493
20,000
9,849
8,493		 Take 5
Steps
£
-
-
-
2,000
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
2,000		 Total
2025
£
245,684
125,732
19,036
69,970
20,770
3,540
18,509
11,250
43,263
19,472
5,849
4,000
13,614
600,689		 Total
2024
£
89,899
120,396
14,643
67,900
15,971
17,359
17,268
11,250
-
50,710
-
-
9,389
23,693 137,882 43,263 414,785

Page 24

Belfast Hills Partnership Trust

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

.................... continued
4.
Belfast HillsLandscape
Colin
Woodland
PartnershipPartnership
Pond
Jobstart
Project
Project
Scheme
£
£
£
£
£
Charitable activities
Contract work
-
355
7,724
-
3,920
-
355
7,724
-
3,920
Share of
support costs
218,697
47,829
137
8,522
37,794
218,697
48,184
7,861
8,522
41,714
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted
funds
218,697
-
-
-
-
Restricted funds
-
48,184
7,861
8,522
41,714
218,697
48,184
7,861
8,522
41,714		 Wild
Growing Up
Youth
Healthy
£
£
63,620
-
63,620
-
71,196
16,119
134,816
16,119
-
-
134,816
16,119
134,816
16,119		 Cresi
Black
Million
New To
Fund
Mountain
Trees
Nature
£
£
£
£
-
12,193
-
-
-
12,193
-
-
30,706
-
17,615
1,088
30,706
12,193
17,615
1,088
-
-
-
-
30,706
12,193
17,615
1,088
30,706
12,193
17,615
1,088		 Total
2025
£
87,812
87,812
449,703
537,515
218,697
318,818
537,515		 Total
2024
£
66,631
66,631
427,899
494,530

Page 25

Belfast Hills Partnership Trust

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

.................... continued

For the year ended 31 March 2024

Belfast HillsLandscapeWoodland
PartnershipPartnership
Project
Project
Scheme
£
£
£
Unrestricted
funds
183,563
-
-
Restricted funds
-
42,539
50,887
183,563
42,539
50,887		 Wild
Wildfire
Youth Connection
Project
£
£
-
-
135,709
4,692
135,709
4,692		 Cresi
Habitat
Million
New to
Our Bright
Fund
Project
Trees
Nature
Future
£
£
£
£
£
-
-
-
-
-
28,480
5,795
19,688
19,193
3,984
28,480
5,795
19,688
19,193
3,984		 Total
2024
£
183,563
310,967
494,530

Page 26

Belfast Hills Partnership Trust

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

.................... continued

5. Support costs

Support costs
Staff costs
Depreciation
Rent
Insurance
Seminars & events
Postage & stationery
Programme materials
Telephone & internet
IT costs
Travel and subsistence
Van costs
Independent examination
Bank fees
Tools & clothing
Subscriptions
Recruitment and volunteer costs
Future development fund project costs		 2025
£
376,846
2,612
32,317
4,197
7,221
1,661
5,638
1,277
4,445
3,150
1,983
2,434
541
2,431
1,171
976
803
449,703		 2024
£
339,842
3,112
29,291
3,462
9,317
1,247
19,048
2,078
4,395
3,536
2,305
2,053
500
2,788
1,119
1,878
1,928
427,899

6. Trustees

Apart from the amount listed below, none of the trustees ( or any person connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year.

Mr A Crean - £1280

Page 27

Belfast Hills Partnership Trust

Notes to the financial statements

for the year ended 31 March 2025

.................... continued

Fixtures,
Tangible fixed assets fittings and Motor
equipment vehicles Total
£ £ £
Cost
At 1 April 2024 18,047 13,770 31,817
Additions 720 - 720
At 31 March 2025 18,767 13,770 32,537
Depreciation
At 1 April 2024 6,237 13,451 19,688
Charge for the year 2,506 106 2,612
At 31 March 2025 8,743 13,557 22,300
Net book values
At 31 March 2025 10,024 213 10,237
At 31 March 2024 11,810 319 12,129

7. Tangible fixed assets

8. Pension costs

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme in respect of the employees. The scheme and its assets are held by independent managers. The pension charge represents contributions due from the company.

9.
Debtors
Accrued income
Prepayments
10.
Creditors: amounts falling due
within one year
Trade creditors and accruals		 2025
£
194,895
3,639
198,534
2025
£
25,602		 2024
£
21,560
3,273
24,833
2024
£
31,282

Page 28

Belfast Hills Partnership Trust

Notes to the financial statements

for the year ended 31 March 2025

.................... continued

Balance Transfer to Transfer to Balance
11. Restricted funds at Unrestricted Incoming Resources at
1 April Reserve
resources		 expended 31 March
£ £
£		 £ £
LPS 319,427 -
19,048		 (48,184 ) 290,291
Colin Pond - -
8,493		 (7,861 ) 632
Growing Up Healthy - -
9,849		 (16,119 ) (6,270 )
Woodland Project 17,550 -
23,693		 (41,714 ) (471 )
New to Nature (1,834 ) -
3,540		 (1,089 ) 617
Wild Youth 29,688 -
137,882		 (134,816 ) 32,754
CRESI Fund 1,258 -
43,263		 (30,706 ) 13,815
Jobstart - )
(442
8,964		 (8,522 ) -
Million Trees Project 13,533 -
20,000		 (17,615 ) 15,918
Take 5 Steps - -
2,000		 - 2,000
Black Mountain Biodiversity Project - -
-		 (12,192 ) (12,192 )
379,622 )
(442
276,732		 318,818 337,094

The income funds of the charity include restricted funds comprising the following unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust for specific purposes:

Balance Transfer from Transfer from Balance
12. Unrestricted funds at Restricted Incoming Resources at
**1 April 2024 ** Reserve resources expended 31 March 2025
£ £ £ £ £
Belfast Hills General Fund 120,979 442 348,714 (217,894 ) 252,241
Future Development 18,019 - - (803 ) 17,216
138,998 442 348,714 (218,697 ) 269,457

It was decided during the year ended 31st March 2020 to set up a designated fund within the unrestricted reserves called the Future Development Fund. The intention is to build this fund for specific future expenditure.

13. Related party transactions

There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year.

Page 29