Ulster4cots Community Network Company Llmlted by Guarantee Dlrectors. Annual Report (Incorporating the Directovs Report) Year ended 31 March 2023 The directors. 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 admlnlstratlve detalls Registered charfty name Ulster-scots Community Netsvork Charfty reglstratlon number NIC100988 Company reglstratlon number N1043831 Principal office and registered Corn Exchange office 1-9 Victoria Street Belfast BT13GA Tha dlrectors Mr8. E. Cameron Mrs. L. Mulholland Mrs. A. Smyth Mr. N, M¢Causland Mr. G. Campbell Mr8. C. Evans Mr. W. Carlile Mr M. Srnyth {Appo5nted 8 April 2022) Company secretary Mr D Gilliland Audltor Aubrey Campbell & Company Chartered accountants & statutory audltor 631 Lisburn Road Belfast BT9 7GT Ulster-scots Community Network Company Limited by Guarantee Directors, Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (conUnu•d) Year ended 31 March 2023 Structure, governance and management Management The Ulster-scots Comrnunity Nehvork {USCN) is overseen by a Board of Directors who are responsible for sètting the strategic direction of the organisation. with the day to day management undertaken by the Operations Director who also implements all necessary pollcies as agr8ed by the Board. The Operalians Director is responsible for ensurfng that the organlsation delivers on agre•d targets and oblectives. He is also responsible for the supeNi$ion of the $t8ff team. Public Beneflt Statement The trustees confirm that they have had due regard for the guidance produced on publi¢ benefit by Ihe Charity Commlssion for Northern Ireland and are pleased to report that during the period the charitable cofflpany has continued to provide public benefits through the prograrnmes and Services we offer. Current Structure and Stafflng Chairman Board of Diraclors Operations Oirector Education Development Officer Publlcalions Officer Community Development Officer Community Development Officer Cornmunity Developmenl Offfcer Community Dev81opmenl Officer Ivacantl Corporato Governance The Ulster-scots Cornmunity Ne￿Ork Is committed to hlgh 8tandards of corporate governance. Although the organisation does not have shareholders, the staff and Board have a responsibility to provide clear evidence of a transparent and efficient organlsation to its stakeholders who include the Ulster-scots community, funding bodies and government. Ulster4cots Community Network Company Limited by Guarantee Directors, Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (eontinueLIJ Year ended 31 March 2023 Structure, governance and management (conUnu¢dJ The Board of Dlrectors As detailed in the USCN Articles and Memorandum of Association, the Board directs the organisation's strategic planning, financial management and operational issues. The Board meet8. on average, 7 times a year with a full General Meeting to be held at least once every 15 months. The Chairman leads the Board and the Operations Director 18ads the management of the organisation. The Chairman's responsibilities include setting the Board Agenda and with the Operations Director, is responsible for the distribution of accurate, timely and clear infomation pertaining lo the activities of the organisation. The diversity of interest groups from wrthin the wider Ulster-scols sector, represented by the Board is seen Ss a key strength of the organisation. The Operations Director attends Board meetings as a linkage between the staff of the organisation and the Board. The Operatlons Director plays a full role 8t 808rd M8etings bul does not have voting rights at such meetings. The USCN Board are responsible for s¢rutinising the performance of the management in order to be satisfied a5 to the integrity and strength of flnancial infomiation controls and risk management of the organi5alion. Internal Controls The Directors (Trustee51 are responsible for the organisalion's systems of internal control which are designed lo provide reasonable assurance to safeguard the crganisation's assets again51 unauthorised use or disposition and the maintenance of proper accounting records and the reliability of financial information used within the organisation. The Ulster-scots Community Ne￿ork r8cogni$es that effective corporate governance rem8ln8 key to malntalning a strong organisatlonal ethos in which the Ulster-scots Comrnunily, Governmenl and fvnders can be confident. Policies and controls are reviewed regularly by relevant personnel and eclions lo address non-conformance are undertaken without delay. The financial procedures of the organisation are Specifically governed by a Financlal Procedures Policy and the Procurement Policy. A managernent accounting System is in place providing management with financial and operational performance measurement indicators. Detailed account summaries are prepared monthly and combined with up to dat8 banking records, are regularly presented to the USCN Board in clear and concise formats. Ulster-scots Community Network Company Limited by Guarantee Directors, Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (eontinu8dJ Year ended 31 March 2023 Objectlves and actlvlties Objectlves The Ulster-scots Community Neiwork (USCN) was established in 1995 to promote awareness and understanding of the Ulster-scols tradition in language. literature, music and dance as well as the conlributs'on of the Ulst8r-Scols community to the development of life in Northern Ireland, the bordér counties of the Republi¢ of Ireland and the Ulster-Scot$ diaspora. As a representative body of many Ulst8r-Scols with around 650 member groups, the USCN is committed to a comprehensive exploration of the interaction between Ut8ter and Scotland, which has been a constant factor in th8 history of the British Isles. The Ulster-scots Community Ne￿rk alms to preseNe, promote and develop Ulster-scols herftagè and culture in all its forms and to make a constructive and progressive contribution to delivering a fully inclusive society in which mutual understanding and tolerance are accepted as the norm - a society at peace with itself. We seek to work to develop a culturally confident and cr8ative community capable of playing a key role in our society in future. We aim to achieve this by: . Providing an umbrella organisation for all interest groups engaging in Ulster-scots activities language, culture and history- Increasing capacity and building relevant skills with the Ulster-scots community-, Promoting Ulster-scots activities and aiming to increase community confidence: Acting as a focal point for dissemination of informatton conceming Ulster-scots., Developing Ulster-seots culture and heritage throughout the education and tourism sectors and throughout the wider community. Strateglc report The following sections for achievements and perfomiance and finandal review fomi the Strategic report of the charity. Ulster-scots Community Network Company Llmlted by Guarantee Dlrectors, Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (contlnued) Year ended 31 March 2023 Achievements and performance Mgmbership and Member Groups The USCN has continued to 5UPPQrt our core member organisations. The Ne￿ork currentty supports approximately 650 registered groups throughout Northern Ireland, the border counties of th8 Republic of Ireland and the wider Ulster-scots diaspora. Thes8 groups include Ulster-scots cultural groups. marching bands, local hlstory so¢ieli8s, education groups, churches, and schools amongst others. Activities, Publications and Events during 2022 and Into 2023 Based in the Discover Ulster-scots Centre within the historic Corn Exchange buiSding in B8Wa8t are the Ulster-scots Community N8Mork's office. The Ne￿Ork also manages the visitors centre, performance space and shop unit there. Thls space provides a visible presence for the Ulsler-scots community in Belfast and showcases their role, impact and contribution to wider society including within Northern Ireland, the Border Counties, and the Impact the diaspora has had on world history. It also allows us to showcase the role that the Ulster-scots community played in the development of Belfast and its industrial contribution lo the world. The Board and staff view the centr& as an opportunlly lo helghten 8wareness of this contribution and to maintain the vlsibility of the Ul$ler-Scols community. The Ne￿ork has resumed their work with groups across Ulster both in th8 raal world, as confidenGe returns to the sector and people want to interact at a personal 18vel again after spending so long connecting via technology. We do continue as well to work virtually wilh those groups who still haven't the confldence to brlng group5 of people together. USCN 81so continued to build upon opportunities for providing Ulster-scots materials into the community as part of our outreach work and our collaboration with member groups. This year, also saw a return to working with our member groups in the Border Counties and asslstlng them as they SOLtght to develop their connections on a broader basis than had been possible for Ihe last few years. Other notable activities include.. Maintaining membership engagement - 66 groups either lolned or renewed their membershlp of the Network over the course ofthe year, keeping membership around 850 group8. USCN staff provided as8lStance to member groups across the year with over 350 meetings and 2500 responses to various queries groups had. We also assisted groups to se¢ure nearly£450k in financial assistance in the period. Throughout the year staff delivered a rang8 of talks to groups, as well a5 exhibition materials in a variely of venue5 with a near doubling year on year - partly driven by the removal of restrictions - to 112 sessions. The Education Officer provided talks lo schools on a further125 occasions during the year, and USCN staff distributed almost 20k items of literature and promotional material during the period covered by this report. USCN also undertook promolional work at a range of cultural and information events this year including festivals, conferences and cultural showcases. USCN processed almost 200 Access Nl certIf￿ateS this year for member groups as well as assisting over 50 member groups with policy advice and guidan￿ as we seek to enhance the capacity of the community. USCN also Gontinue to develop their online presence through a variety of social rnedia channels as Ulster-scots Community Network Company Limited by Guarantee Directors, Annual R8port (Incorporating the Director's Report) fcontinuedj Year ended 31 March 2023 they look to broaden the ￿ach of their message particul8rly as they look to engage with the Ulsler-scots diaspora. As part of its ongoing programme of work USCN also dalivered Open College Ne￿ork Nl accredited courses in Ulster-scots History and Identity with 11 courses being delivered across Northem Ireland. The Publications Officer was 8XtrerTbely productive with articles being produced and carried in a range of newspaper5 and magazinès throughout the y8ar, as well as researching articles on other famous Ulster-Scot5 as the basis for future publications. Flnanclal revlew We are grateful to the following organisation$ who provided support to the USCN durlng the period under review: Ulster-scots Agency - Core Funding support including salaries, establishment costs and project monles. Ulster-scots Agency under their Small Grants Scheme for delivery of events in the communty. Arts Council of North8rn Ireland - Salary support (Publications Officer) und8r their AFP scheme, as well as prograrnming costs for our artistic programme. Heritag8 Lottery under the CRESI scheme administering funding on behalf of Department for Communities to recrull staff lo asslst the future clevelopment of the organlsation within the sector. Scottish Book Trust - a grant lo allow us to publish an anthology of Scots poetry by Stuart A Paterson. We are the first organisation outside Scotland to receive this grant from the Scots Government. RESERVES POLICY Reserves are required by any organisation to help offset tha Inherent risk pot8ntlal of reliance on funding applications and the processes they entail. USCN aims to hold three rnonths core operating costs as a Business Reserve at all times. This ensures an effective salary net exists to cover fixed costs and staff salarles a5 well as sUCC8ssfully completing any outstanding project commitments. The actual financial amount held in reserve is reviewed regularly and is dependent on the availabilty of assets and the mean monthly operating total as calculated at each review. Ulster-scots Community Network Company Limited by Guarantee Directors. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (contlnued) Year ended 31 March 2023 Plans for future perlods USCN is Committed to the delivery of the Key Performance Indicators as $8t out in the current 2023 Business Plan of the organisation. The8e include= Help secure £500k in financial assistance for member groups. Provide 400 advice session5 to member groups on a range of relevant issues. Deliver a range of geographically diverse information sessions on funding. Support at least 40 member groups with policy d8velopment Facilitate 100 Disclosure certificates through Acc8ss NI Recruit at least 100 participanls for the OCN Nl Accredited Cours85 offered by USCN. Deliver talkslPresentations to at18ast 60 groups - Grow the Network by 50h during the year Increase walk-in visitors to the Dlscover Ulster-scots Centre by 10•/0. Deliver a range of cultural activities through the centre Meet regularly with key member organisalions and maintain a strong and v15ible onllne and media presence Future Grant Funding The USCN has secured core funding from the Ulster-scots Agency for the 2023 calendar year. This agreement expires in December 2023. Negotiations will commence to secure a financial package from the Ulster-scots Agency for 2024, with a business plan being submitted in late 2023. It is also hoped that during 2024 we will be submitting a multi-year business plan which will assist us lo move away from the current funding model. The Directors are confident that the Ulster-scots Agency will agree to provide 5ufflcient core fundlng to allow the Ne￿Ork to continue in existence and are not aware of any reason wtty the Ulsler-scots Agency's financial support might be withdrawn. Arts Council funding has been secured for the current financial year 2023124 to support the post of Publications Officer and other financial support has been received from Heritage Lottery Fund to support an additional post within the Network through until 2025. Dlrectors. responslbllltles statement The directors, who are also director5 for the purposes of company law, are responsible for preparing the directors, report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting PractlGe). Company law requires the charity directors to prepare financial statements for each year which give a true and fair view of the stale of affairs of the charitable company and the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, for that period. Ulster4cots Community Network Company Limited by Guarantee Dlrectors. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (¢ontinuedJ Year ended 31 March 2023 In p￿paring these financial statements, the directors are required to: Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consi8tently', observe the methods and principles in the applicable Charities SORP., make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent; state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have bean fdlowed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements., prepare the flnanc181 statements on the golng concern basls unless it 1$ Inapproprtai• to pr•$ume that the charity will continue in business. The directors are responsible for keeplng adequate accounting records that are sufficlent to show and explain the charity's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any tlme the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assels of the charity and henca for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of Iraud and other irregularities. Auditor Each of the persons who is a director at the dale of approval of this report confimis 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 811 steps that they ought to have taken as a director to mak8 th￿selveS aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the charity's auditor is aware of that information. The audltor is deemed to have been re-appointed in accordance with section 487 of th8 Companles Act 2006. Ulster-scots Community Network Company Limited by Guarantse Directors, Annual Report {Incorporatlng the Director's Report) (continued) Year ended 31 March 2023 The directors, annual report and the strategic report were approved on 28 November 2023 and signed on behalf of the board of trustees by.. Mrs. E. Cameron Dlrector Mrs. L. Mulholland Director Mrs. A. Smyth Dire¢lor Mr. N. Mccausland Chairman Nid,- M'c~,i.- Mr. G. Campbell Director Mrs. C. Evans DireGtor Mr. W. Carlile Dir8clor Mr M. Smyth Diroctor