Ulster-scots Community Network Company Limlted by Guarantee Directors, Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) Year ended 31 March 2024 The directors, who are also the directors lor the purposes ol company law, present Iheir report and the financial slalemenls ol Ihe charity lor the year ended 31 March 2024. Reference and admlnlstrjllve details Reglst8r8d ¢harlty name Ulster-scots Community Network Charlty reglslralion number NIC100986 Company reglslratlon number N1043631 Princlpal office and reglstered Corn Exchange offlce 1-9 Victoria Sireel Belfast BT1 3GA The dlreclor8 Mrs. E. Cameron Mrs. L, Mulhollan Mis. A. Smyth Mr. N. Mccausland Mr. G. Campbell Mrs. C, Evans Mr. W. Carlile Mr M. Smyth Company secretary Mr D Gilliland Audllor Aubrey Campbell & Company Chartered accounlanls & slalutory auditor 631 Lisburn Road Bellasl 8T9 7GT
Ulster-scots Community Nelwork Company Limited by Guarantee Directors, Annual Report (Incorporating the Direclor's Report) {conllnu•dJ Year ended 31 March 2024 Slructurey governance and management Management The Ulsler-scols Community Nelwork {USCNI is overseen by a Board ol Directors who are responsible lor selling the slralegic direclion ol the organisalion, with Ihe day lo day management undertaken by the Operations Direclor who also implements all necessary policies as agreed by the Board. The Operalions Director is responsible lor ensuring that Ihe organisalion delivers on agieed largels and objective5. He is also responsible lor the supervision of the slall team. Publlc Benellt Statement The IrLtslees contirm that Ihey have had due regard lor the guidance produced on public benefit by the Charity COMMI010n foi Northern Ir81and and ar8 pl8as8d lo report that during the period the charilable company has continued 10 provide publi¢ benelils through the programmes and services we o118r. Current Struclure and Stafflng Chairman Board ol Directors Director Education and Outreach Ollicer Publications Ollicer Community Development Officer Community Developfflenl Ollicer Community Developrneni Ollicer Communily Development Officer Digital Communicalions Ollicér Corporate Governance The Ulsler-scols Community Network is comrnilled lo high slandards ol corporate governance. Allhough the organisalion does not have shareholders, the stall and Board have a responsibility lo provide clear evidence ol a Iransparenl and ellicienl organisalion lo ils slalfeholders who Include the Ulsler-S¢ols community, funding bodies and government.
Ulster-scots Community Nelwork Company Llmited by Guarantee Directors, Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (conslnuedj Year ended 31 March 2024 Structur8, governance and management (eontlnuedl The Board ol Dlrectors As detailed in the USCN Arlicles and Memorandum ol Association: the Board directs the organisalion's slralegic planning, financial management and operational issues. The Board meels, on average, 7 lirnes a year wilh a lull General Meeting lo be held al least once every 15 months. The Chairman leads Ihe Board, and the Operalions Director leads the management ol Ihe OTganisaiion. The Chairman's responsibilities includc selling the Board Agenda and with the Operaiions Dir8clor. is responsible lor the distribution ol accurate. timely and c18ar inlorrnalion pertaining lo the aclivilies ol the organisalion, The diversily ol interest groups from within the wider Ulsler-scols sector, represented by the Boaré is seen as a key slrenglh ol the Ofganisalion. The operations Direcloi allends Board fjieelings as a liiikdug belween Ihe stall ol the organisalion and the Board. The Operations Director plays a lull role al Board Meelings bul doés not have voting righls al such rneelings, The USCN Board are responsible lor scrulinising Ihe performance ol the rnanagemenl 10 be salislied as lo the integrity and strength ol linancial inlorrnalion controls and risk managem8nl ol Ihe organisalion. Inlernal Controls The Directors (Trusleesl d¥e responsible lor the Organisalion's systems ol internal control which are designed lo provide reasonable assurance lo saleguard the organisalion's assels against unaulhorised use or di5posilion and the mainleriance ol proper accounting records and Ihe:r,Rliabilily ol financial inlorrnalion used within the organisalion. The Ulsler-scols Cornmunily Network recognises that elleclive corporate governance remains key lo maintaining a strong organisalional ethos in which the Ulsler-scois communiiy, Governfflenl aiid lunders can be confident. Policies and controls are reviewed regularly by r81evanl personn81 and actions lo address non-conlormanco are Linderlaken wilhoul delay. The financial procedures ol Ihe organisalion are specifically govgrned by a Financial Procedures Policy and Ihe Procurement PoljGy. A managemenl accounting system is in place providing management wilh financial and opefalional perlormance measurement indicators. Detailed account Summaries ale prepared monthly and combineo with up lo dale banking records, are regularly presented lo the USCN 8oard In ¢18ar and concise formals.
Ulster-scots Community Network Company Llmlted by Guarantee Directors, Annual Report (Incorporallng Ihe Dlrector's Reporl) (coniinuedj Year ended 31 March 2024 Objectives and activilies Objectives The Ulster-scols Community NeOrk IUSCNI was established in 1995 lo promote awareness and understanding ol the Ulsler-scols tradition in language. lileralure, rnvsic and dance as well as the contribution ol the Ulsler-scols communily lo the developrnenl ol life in Norihern Ireland. Ihe border counties ol the Republic ol Ireland and the ulsl8r.Scols diaspora. As a represenlalive body ol many Ulsler.Scols with around 650 member groups. Ihe USCN is commilled lo a comprghensive exploration ol the inleraciion between Ulster and Scolland, which has been a constant laclor in the history ol Ihe British Isles. The Ulsler-S¢ols Community Network aims lo preserve. promote and develop Ulsler-scols heritage and culture in all ils lorms and lo rnake a conslruclive and progressive conlribulion lo delivering a lully Incluslve society In which mutual understanding ancl loleiance are accepted as the norm - a society al pcacc with ilsell. We seek to WOIK lo develop a cullurally confident and creative community capable ol plawng a key role in our sociely in lulure. We aim lo achieve this by: . Providing an umbrella organisalion lor all interest groups engaging in Ulsler-scols aclivilies - language. culture and history., Increasing capacily and building relevanl skills with the Ulsler-scols community; Promoting Ulsler-scols activities and aiming lo increase community confidence., Acting as a local point lor dissemination ol information concerning Ulsler-scols., Developing Ulsler-scols culluye and herilage throughout the education and .lourism sectors and Ihroughoul the wider community. Strateolc report The following sections loi achievements and pertormance and financial review lorm the slralegic report ol the charity.
Ulster-scots Community Network Company Limlted by Guarantee Directors, Annual Report (Incorporaling the Director's Repori) (conllnu¢d) Year ended 31 March 2024 Achievements and performance Mernbership and Member Groups The USCN has conlinLJed lo supporl our core member organisalions, The Network currently supports approximaloly 680 registered groups IhroughoLJI Northern Ireland. the border counties ol Ihe Republic of ITeland and the wider Ulsler-scols diaspora. These groups include Ulsler-scols cultural groups, marching bands, local history societies. education groups, churches, and schools amongst others. Actlvitles, Publications and Evenls durlng 2023 and Into 2024 8ased In tho Oiscover Ulsler-scols Centre within the hisioric Corn Exchange building in Bellasl are the Ulsler-scols Com munily Network's ollice. The Network also manages the visilor5 cenlre, performance space and shop unil there. This space provides a visible presence lor the Ulsler-SGols communily in Bellasl and showcases Ih&ir role, impacl and contribution lo wider society Including wilhin Noriherri Ireland, the Boi'd81' Couiilies, diid Ilie illlVdLI Ili& didbVUl¢l Iidb Iiaol on world history. 11 also allows us lo showcase the role Ihal the Ulsler-scols community played In the developrnenl ol Bellasl and ils industrial contribution lo Ihe world, The Board and stall view the centre as an opportunity lo heighten awareness ol this conlribuliDn and lo maintain the visibility ol the Ulsler-scols comrnunily. The Network has continued and we will continue as well lo work virtually with Ihosc groLJPS who slill haven't Ilie confidence lo bring groups ol people logeiher. USCN also continued lo build upon OPPOTlunilies lor providing Ulsler-scols materials into the c(Jmmunily as parl ol our outreach work and our collaboralion with member groups. This year, we placed a larger degree ol emphasis on working with our member groups in Ilie Border Counties and assisting them as they sought lo deviilop their connections on a braader basis than had been possible lor the lasl lew years. other notable activities Include.. Maintaining membership 8noaqemenl - 75 groups either joined or renewed their membership ol Ilie Network over the course ol the year, keeping membership around 680 groups. USCN stall provided assislancc ID member groups across the year with over 400 me8lings and 2000 responses lo various qLJeries groups had. We also assisted groups lo sgcure nearly £375k in linancial assistance in the period. Throughoul the year stall delivered a range ol talks lo groups. as well as exhibition malerials in a variety ol venues lo 125 sèssions. The Education Officer provided talks lo schools on a further l 00 occasioris during the year. and USCN stall distributed almDsI 17k items ol Iileralu¥e and promolional material during the period covereé by Ihis reporl. USCN also undertook promolional work al a range ol Clillural and inlurmalion events this year including leslivals. conferences and cultural showcases. USCN processed over 160 Access Nl cerlilicales this year lor rnember groups as well as assislirig over 50 member groups wilh policy adviGe and guidance as we seek lu enhance the capacily ol the community. USCN also continue lo develop their online presence through a variety ol social ffledia channels as they look lo broaden Ihe Teach ol their message particularly as they look lo engage with the
Ulster-scots Community Network Company Llmited by Guarantee Directors. Annual Report (Incorporatlng the Dlrector's Report) {eonllnu•d) Year ended 31 March 2024 Ulsler-scols diaspora. As part ol ils ongoing programme ol work USCN also delivered Open College Network Nl accredited courses in Ulster-scols History and Idenlily with 12 courses being delivered across Northern Ireland. The Publications Officer was extremely productive with articles being produced and carried In a rangè ol newspapers and magazines throughout Ihe year: as well as researching articles on olhei lamous Ulsler-scols as the basis lor lulllre publications. FlnancSal revlew We are grateful lo the following organisalions who provided support lo the USCN during the peric#J under review.. Ulsler-scols Agency Core Funding support includlng salailes, eslablishmenl costs and prolacl monies. Arts Council ol North8rn Ireland - Supporl under Iheir Naiional Lo118ry Funding Programme Ihal ollers salary support and sorne c051s ol our programming budget. Heritage Lottery under the CFIESI scheme administering funding on behalf ol Department for Communities lo recruit stall lo assist Ihe lulure development ol the organisalion within the sector. Scollish Book Trust - a remainder ol a grant Ihal allowed us lo publish an anthology ol Scols poetry by Sluarl A Paterson. We are the first or9anisalion outside Scotland lo receive this grant from the Scots Government. RESERVES POLICY Reserves are required by any organisalion lo help ollsel the inherent risk potential ol reliance on lunding applicalions and the proc8SS8s they entail. USCN aims lo hold three months core operating costs as a Busingss Fqeserve al all limes. This ensufes an elleclive salary nel exisls lo cover lixed costs and slall salaries as well as successlully completing any oulslanding project commilmenls. The actual financial amount held in reserve is reviewed regularly and is dependent on the availabilily ol assets and the mean monthly operating lolal as calculaled al 8a¢h review.
Ulster-scots Community Network Company Limited by Guarantee Directors, Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Repori) (Conlinued) Year ended 31 March 2024 Plans lor tuture perlods USCN is commilled lo the delivery ol the Key Performance Indicators as sel our Ivi the current 202415 Business Plan ol the organisalion. These include. Help secure £300k in financial assislancc lor mernbei groLJPS. Provide 400 advice sessions lo member groups on a range ol relevant issues. Deliver a range ol geographically diverse inlorrnalion sessions on funding. Support al least 40 member groups wilh policy development Facililale l 00 Disclosur8 ¢8rtilicales through Access N I Recruit al least 100 parlicipanls lor Ihe OCN Nl Accredited Courses ollere8 by USCN. Deliver lalkslPresenlalions lo al least 60 groups Grow the Network by 5¢/q during Ihe yeai Increase walk.in visitors lo the Discover Ulsler-scois Cenlre by 100/.. Deliver a range ol cullural aclivilies through the centre Meet regularly with key rllember organisalion5 and rnainlain a strong and visible online and media presence Fulure Grant Funding The USCN has secured core lunding liorn the Ulsler-scols Agency IOT the 2024 calendar year. This agreement expires in December 2024. Negotiations will commence lo secure a linaf7cial package liom the Ulsler-scols Agency lor 2025, with a business plan being submilled in lale 2024.11 is also hoped that during 2025 we will be submilling a mulii-year business plan which will assist us to move away Irorn Ihe current funding model. The Direclois are conlidenl that the Ulsler-scols Agency will agree lo provide sullicienl core ILJnding lo allow the Network lo continue in exislence and are not aware ol any reason why the Ulsler-scols Agency's linancial support mighl be wilhdrawii. Arts Council funding has now been secured lor the current linancial year 2024125 to support the po8101 Publications Ollicer and other financial support has been received from Herilage Lollery Fund lo support an additional post williin lh9 Network through unlil July 2025. Direclors, responsibililies slatement The directors. who are also directors lor the purposes ol company law. are responsible lor preparing the directors, report and the linancial slalemenls In accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally AcGepled Accounting Praclicel. Company law requires the charity directors lo prepare Iillancial slalernenls lor each year which give a liue and lair view ol the slate ol allairs ol Ihe charilablc company and the incorning resources and application ol iesources, including the Incorne and expenditure. for that period.
Ulster-scots Community Network Company Limited by Guarantee Directors, Annual Report (Incorporating Ihe Director's Report) feonllnuj Year ended 31 March 2024 In preparing these financial slalemenls, the diieclois are required lo. select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently., observe the methods and principles in rhe applicable Charilies SORP,. make judgments and accounling estimates Ihal are reasonable and prudenl; slate whether applicable UK AccoLtniing Standards have been followed, subjecl lo any material departure5 disclosed and explained in the financial slalemenls". prepare the linancial 51alemenls on the going concern basis unless il is inappiopriale lo presurne Ihal the charity will conlinue In business. The directors are responsible lor keeping adequale accounting records that are sullicienl lo show and explain the chaiily's Iransaclions and disclose wilh reasonable accuracy al any lime the linancial position ol Ihe charity and enable Ihem lo ensure Ihal the financial slalemenls comply wllh the Companies Acl 2006. They are also iesponsible lor saleguarding the assets ol the charily and hence lor taking reasonable steps lor the prevention and deleclion ol Iraud and oiher irregularities. Audltor Each ol the persons who is a direclor al Iho dale of approval ol this report confirms Ihal.. so lar as they are awaTe, there is no relevant audil inlorrnalion ol which the charily's auditor is unaware., and Ihey have taken all steps Ihal they oughi lo have taken as a director lo make themselves aware ol any re18vanl audil information and lo eslablish that the charity's auditor is aware ol Ihal inlormalion. The auditor is deemed lo have been re-appointed in accordance wilh section 487 01 the Companies Act 2006.
Ulster-scots Community Network Company Llmlted by Guarantee Directors, Annual Report (Incorporating the Dlrector's Report) (conthtsed) Year ended 31 March 2024 The directors, annual report and the stratègi¢ report were approved on 20 Decembèr 2024 and signed on béhalf ol the board ol trustees by.. Mrs. E. Cameron Dlreclor Mrs. L. Mulholland Direclor Mrs. A. Smwh Director Mr. N. Mccausland Chairman Mr. G. Campbell Director Mrs. C. Evans Director Mr. W, Carlile Director Mr M. srnh Director