Company Registration Number NI034988 HMRC Charity Reference Number XR19598 NI Charities Commission Reference Number NIC101074
A private company limited by guarantee without share capital - exempt from using "limited"
Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2024
Diamond & Skillen Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditor Sinclair House, 89/101 Royal Avenue Belfast BT1 1FE
Northern Ireland Environment Link
Company Information
Executive / Board of Directors / Trustees CHAIR Stephen Aston VICE CHAIRS Joanne Sherwood. . . . . . . . . . . RSPB TREASURER Murray Watt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Supporting Communities NI DIRECTORS Declan Allison. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Friends of the Earth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Appointed 15th March 2023 Paul Armstrong. . . . . . . . . . . . . Woodland Trust William Deane. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Action Renewables Ian Humphreys. . . . . . . . . . . . . Independent Karen Kerr Gavan. . . . . . . . . . . Queen’s University, Belfast Dawn Miskelly. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ulster Wildlife Victoria Magreehan. . . . . . . . . . National Trust. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Appointed 30th November 2023 Lizzy Pinkerton. . . . . . . . . . . . . Belfast Hills Partnership Darren Rice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Newry, Mourne & Down District Council Diane Ruddock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . National Trust. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Resigned 30th November 2023 Company Secretary Craig McGuicken. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . Resigned as CEO 3rd February 2023, replaced as Company Secretary 30th November 2023 Max Bryant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . Appointed as CEO 17th July 2023, appointed as Company Secretary 30th November 2023 Company Number NI034988 Charity Registration NIC101074 Charities Commission for Northern Ireland XR19598 HM Revenue & Customs Registered Office to 30th April 2024 from 1st May 2024 89 Loopland Drive 22-24 Lombard Street Belfast Belfast BT6 9DW BT1 1RD Auditors Diamond & Skillen Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditor Sinclair House 89/101 Royal Avenue Belfast BT1 1FE Business Address to 30th April 2024 from 1st May 2024 89 Loopland Drive 22-24 Lombard Street Belfast Belfast BT6 9DW BT1 1RD
Diamond & Skillen Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditor Sinclair House, 89/101 Royal Avenue Belfast BT1 1FE
Northern Ireland Environment Link
Contents
| Page (s) | |
|---|---|
| Director / Trustees’ Report | 1 - 3 |
| Independent Auditor's Report | 4 - 5 |
| Statement of Financial Activities (Income statement) | 6 |
| Statement of Financial Position (Balance Sheet) | 7 |
| Statement of Cash Flows | 8 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 9 - 17 |
Diamond & Skillen Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditor Sinclair House, 89/101 Royal Avenue Belfast BT1 1FE
Northern Ireland Environment Link
Director / Trustees’ Report for the year ended 31st March 2024
The Board of Directors/Trustees submits its report together with the audited financial statements of the company for the year ended 31[st] March 2024.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Northern Ireland Environment Link is a private company limited by guarantee without a share capital, exempt from using the word “limited”. The Company’s registration number NI034988. The company is also a charity registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland , number NIC101074. The present Directors, and any past Directors who served during the year, are given on the company information page of these financial statements, together with the names of the charity’s external advisors.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
General
Northern Ireland Environment Link is governed by its Articles of Association originally adopted on 13th October 1998 and revised on 17th September 2014. In the event of the company being wound up, members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1.
Directors/Trustees
The Board of Directors/Trustees is responsible for the overall governance of the Company. Director/Trustees are appointed by the full members at Annual General Meeting. The total number of director/trustees shall not be more than 16 and not be less than 8. New Director/Trustees are provided with training in regard to their statutory responsibilities.
The Board delegates the exercise of certain powers in connection with the management and administration of the Company to the Executive. This is controlled by regular reporting back to the Board, so that all decisions made under delegated powers can be ratified by the full Board in due course.
The Chief Executive is responsible for the day-to-day management of the company’s affairs. The Chief Executive is assisted by Project Managers.
Statement of Directors’/Trustees’ Responsibilities and Corporate Governance
The Directors/Trustees are responsible for ensuring that the Company keeps 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 and to provide reasonable assurance that:
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The Company is operating efficiently and effectively;
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All assets are safeguarded against unauthorised use or disposition and are properly applied;
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Proper records are maintained and financial information used within the Company, or for publication, is reliable; and
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The Company complies with relevant laws and regulations.
Statement as disclosure to our auditors
In so far as the directors/trustees are aware at the time of approving our trustees’ annual report:
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there is no relevant information, being information needed by the auditor in connection with preparing their report, of which the charity’s auditor is unaware; and
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the directors/trustees, having made enquiries of fellow directors/trustees and the charity’s auditor that they ought to have individually taken, have each taken all steps that he/she is obliged to take as a director/trustee in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the auditor is aware of that information.
Internal controls
Internal controls over all forms of commitment and expenditure continue to be reviewed to improve efficiency. Processes are in place to ensure that performance is monitored and the appropriate management information is prepared and reviewed on an ongoing basis by executive management and quarterly by the Board of Directors.
The systems of internal control are designed to provide reasonable but not absolute assurances against material misstatement or loss. They include:
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a strategic plan and annual budget approved by the Directors;
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regular consideration by the Directors of financial results, variances from budget, non financial performance indicators and bench marking reviews;
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delegation of day to day management authority and segregation of duties;
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identification and management of risks.
Diamond & Skillen Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditor Sinclair House, 89/101 Royal Avenue Belfast BT1 1FE
Page 1 of 17
Risk Statement
An internal risk assessment has been undertaken in order to identify the major risks to which the organisation is exposed. These have been identified as:-
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Financial - the organisation’s funding is uncertain and historic income streams may be at risk. To mitigate against this the Board has formulated a Reserves Policy (see Finance Review below )
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Operational - as an organiser of a wide variety of events and programmes, the organisation takes great care to ensure the safety of all participants and that the appropriate liability policies are in place.
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Operational – failure to meet targets and objectives specified by our Sponsors and funders.
The Board recognises its responsibility for the management of risk and has in place a Risk Strategy, which categorises risk in terms of severity, likelihood and consequence. The Strategy is reviewed annually and risk is monitored regularly.
Risk Management
During the year the Directors have considered and examined the major risks that face the charity and established strategies that will mitigate the impact they may have on the charity’s future. This process will be continued on an ongoing basis for each financial year.
OBJECTS, OBJECTIVES AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES OF THE CHARITY
The Charity’s objectives are to:
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Advance and promote for the public benefit environmental conservation, protection, improvement and sustainability in Northern Ireland;
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Raise awareness of the importance of environmental issues by providing a forum for the exchange of ideas and promoting a collective voice on environmental matters;
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Advance the education of all sections of the public in environmental and ecological sciences.
STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE WITH THE DUTY TO HAVE REGARD TO THE CHARITY COMMISSION FOR NORTHERN IRELAND’S GUIDANCE ON PUBLIC BENEFIT
In setting our objectives and planning our activities for the year the trustees have given careful consideration to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland’s guidance on public benefit to ensure that the activities have helped to achieve the Charity’s purpose and provide a benefit to the beneficiaries. No harm and no private benefit flowed from the purposes of the charity.
FINANCIAL REVIEW AND RESULTS FOR THE YEAR
The Statement of Financial Activities on page 6 is designed to reflect all incoming resources receivable and expenditure incurred during the year irrespective of when income is actually received and payments made. Total incoming resources for the year amounted to £818,774 (2023: £894,718) of which £228,728 (2023: £156,065) is the core grant from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA). Total resources expended of £730,366 (2023: £810,309) resulted in a net surplus for the year of £88,408 (2023: £84,409). There is a balance of £10 (2023: negative £5,997) on restricted funds at the year end and the balance on unrestricted funds at the year-end was £546,705 (2023: £464,304) which is free and represents the reserves available to the Directors to help fulfil current and future plans.
RESERVES POLICY
The Directors/Trustees believe that the Company should hold financial reserves because:
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NIEL is reliant upon government funding, and particularly on funding from one Agency within government
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The current funding situation is uncertain; central government funding is being reduced in Northern Ireland, and it is likely that NGOs across NI will be adversely affected in the coming years
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To assist with cashflow
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Evidence of a reasonable level of reserve will : provide confidence to funders and other potential partners; demonstrates NIEL’s sustainability and capacity to manage unforeseen financial difficulty; assist in the long-term strategic planning of the organisation
The Board of Trustees have agreed that NIEL should aim to have a reserve of between 3-12 months operating costs plus wind-up costs. Reserves should be built up and maintained at the desired level in stages consistent with the charity’s overall financial position and its need to maintain and develop its charitable activities.
Based on a 6-month operating cost (unrestricted fund only) of £360,000 and current wind-up costs in the region of £100,000, this makes a target reserve of between £280,000 and £460,000. However due to the Coronavirus pandemic, and the resulting long-term uncertainty, the Board consider it prudent to hold a higher level of reserves, if this can be achieved, until further notice.
Details of the Company’s funds are shown in Note 12. An analysis of the Company’s net assets between the funds is given in Note 13. The Directors/Trustees consider that sufficient resources are held in an appropriate form to enable each fund to be applied in accordance with any restriction imposed.
Diamond & Skillen Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditor Sinclair House, 89/101 Royal Avenue Belfast BT1 1FE
Page 2 of 17
EMPLOYEES
The Company aims to be an organisation that employees enjoy working for and where they feel supported and developed. Employees are kept fully informed about its strategy and objectives, as well as day to day news and events. Regular information about the organisation is available through meetings and e-mails. All employees are encouraged to give their views and suggestions on performance and strategy. The Company supports equal opportunity.
PLANS FOR FUTURE PERIODS
The company plans continuing the current activities in the forthcoming years subject to satisfactory funding arrangements.
AUDITORS
Diamond & Skillen were appointed auditors to the company and are deemed to be re-appointed in accordance with Section 487(2) of the Companies Act 2006.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies' regime (S.419(2) of the Companies Act 2006).
This report was approved by the board of directors on 5th December 2024 and signed on its behalf by:
Stephen Aston Chair - Board of Directors / Trustees
Diamond & Skillen Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditor Sinclair House, 89/101 Royal Avenue Belfast BT1 1FE
Page 3 of 17
NORTHERN IRELAND ENVIRONMENT LINK
Independent Auditors’ Report to the Trustees of Northern Ireland Environment Link
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of Northern Ireland Environment Link (the “Charity”) for the year ended 31st March 2024 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Statement of Financial Position, the Statement of Cash Flows and the Notes to the Accounts numbered 1 to 19, including a summary of 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).
This report is made solely to the Charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with section 65 of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 and the regulations made under that Act. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Charity’s trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s 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 Charity’s trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
In our opinion, the financial statements:
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give a true and fair view of the state of the Charity’s affairs as at 31st March 202 4 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure for the year then ended;
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have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice;
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have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
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 the provisions available for small entities, 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
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the ISAs (UK) require us to report to you where:
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the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is not appropriate; or
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the trustees have not disclosed in the financial statements any identified material uncertainties that may cast significant doubt about the Charity’s ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting for a period of at least twelve months from the date when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Other information
The trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements 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 financial statements 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.
Matters on which we are required to report by exception
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the Charity and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Trustees’ Annual 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:
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adequate accounting records have not been kept;
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the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records;
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Certain disclosures of director’ remuneration specified by law are not made;
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we have not obtained all the information and explanations necessary for the purposes of our audit;
cont’d.../
Diamond & Skillen Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditor Sinclair House, 89/101 Royal Avenue Belfast BT1 1FE
Page 4 of 17
Responsibilities of the trustees
As explained more fully in the trustees' responsibilities statement set out on page 1, the trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as they determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, 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.
Our 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.
Our responsibility is to audit and express an opinion on the financial statements in accordance with UK law and International Standards on Auditing (UK). Those standards require us to comply with the Auditing Practices Board’s [(APB’s)] Ethical Standards for Auditors, including ‘‘APB Ethical Standard – Provisions Available for Small Entities (Revised)’’, in the circumstances set out in note 19 to the financial statements.
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the Charity'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 Charity's members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's 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 Charity's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
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Nigel V. Skillen (Senior Statutory Auditor) for and on behalf of
Diamond & Skillen
Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditor Sinclair House, 89/101 Royal Avenue, Belfast, BT1 1FE
5th December 2024
Diamond & Skillen Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditor Sinclair House, 89/101 Royal Avenue Belfast BT1 1FE
Page 5 of 17
Northern Ireland Environment Link
Statement of Financial Activities
(incorporating Income and Expenditure Account) for the year ended 31st March 2024
| Notes | Totals 2023 £ Totals 2024 £ Restricted funds £ Unrestricted Funds £ |
|---|---|
| Fund balances c/fwd at 31st March Fund balances b/fwd at 1st April Reconciliation of funds Net movement in funds for the year 17 Gross transfers between funds Transfers 5 Net income / (deficit) for the year Total expenditure 4 Depreciation of assets 4 Other expenses 4 Legal and professional fees on other items 4 Programme / event costs 4 General administration costs 4 Travel & training costs 4 Premises costs 4 Employee costs on charitable activities 4 Advertising / PR costs on raising funds Expenditure Total income 3 Investment income from investments 3 Other servicing and accommodation 3 Sundry income from other activities 3 Members servicing and accommodation 3 Event and project income from charitable activities 3 Grants 3 Subscriptions 3 Donations from donations and legacies Income |
681 750 - 750 - 0 - - 120,151 24,652 - 24,652 1,799 1,817 - 1,817 42,470 35,864 - 35,864 724,452 746,923 - 746,923 5,165 5,885 - 5,885 - 2,314 - 2,314 |
| 894,718 818,205 0 818,205 |
|
| - 0 - - 10 12,742 - 12,742 4,171 4,300 - 4,300 164,823 86,915 236 86,679 16,707 18,951 - 18,951 10,123 11,010 922 10,088 22,874 61,561 - 61,561 591,601 554,845 - 554,845 - 6,077 - 6,077 |
|
| 810,309 756,401 1,158 755,243 |
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| - 0 7,165 (7,165) 84,409 61,804 (1,158) 62,962 |
|
| 373,898 458,307 (5,997) 464,304 84,409 61,804 6,007 55,797 |
|
| 458,307 520,111 10 520,101 |
The income and expenditure summary as required to be disclosed by the Companies Act 2006 is included at note 14. All of the above results are derived from continuing activities.
The company has no recognised gains or losses other than the surplus or deficit for the above two financial years. The notes on pages 9 to 17 form part of these financial statements.
Diamond & Skillen Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditor Sinclair House, 89/101 Royal Avenue Belfast BT1 1FE
Page 6 of 17
Northern Ireland Environment Link
Statement of Financial Position (Balance Sheet) as at 31st March 2024
| Notes | 2023 £ 2024 £ |
|---|---|
| Total funds 12 Other projects 12 NIOGN Lottery Fund 12 TalX Fund 12 Interreg Fund 12 Open Government Network Pioneer Fund 12 HLF Catalyst Restricted income funds: 12 Other funds 12 General funds Unrestricted income funds: Accumulated funds Net assets 10 Payables: amounts falling due within one year Cash and cash equivalents 9 Receivables Current Assets 8 Tangible assets Non Current Assets |
201,131 390,261 284,925 193,328 - - |
| 486,056 583,589 |
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| (27,749) (63,478) |
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| 458,307 520,111 |
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| - - 464,304 520,101 |
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| 10 10 - - (6,007) - - - - - - - 464,304 520,101 |
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| 458,307 520,111 |
The notes on pages 9 to 17 form part of these financial statements.
The financial statements on pages 6 to 17 were approved by the Board of Directors/Trustees on 5th December 2024 and signed on their behalf by:
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Stephen Aston Chairman of Director/Trustees
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Murray Watt Director/Trustee, Hon Treasurer
Diamond & Skillen Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditor Sinclair House, 89/101 Royal Avenue Belfast BT1 1FE
Page 7 of 17
Northern Ireland Environment Link
Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended 31st March 2024
| Notes | 2023 £ 2024 £ |
|---|---|
| Net cash and cash equivalents at 31st March 2024 Net cash and cash equivalents at 1st April 2023 Increase / (decrease) in cash for the year Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net cash balances Increase / (decrease) in cash for the year Capital expenditure 16 Returns on investment Investing activities 15 Net inflow / (outflow) from operating activities Operating activities |
- - 681 750 (13,176) 188,380 |
| (12,495) 189,130 |
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| 213,626 201,131 (12,495) 189,130 |
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| 201,131 390,261 |
The notes on pages 9 to 15 form part of these financial statements.
Diamond & Skillen Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditor Sinclair House, 89/101 Royal Avenue Belfast BT1 1FE
Page 8 of 17
Northern Ireland Environment Link
Notes forming part of the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2024
- Accounting Policies The principal accounting policies adopted, judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows:
1.1 Basis of preparation
The financial statements are prepared in accordance with 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 (FRS 102) (effective from 1st January 2015) - (Charities SORP (FRS102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
Northern Ireland Environment Link meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102 and the Charities SORP. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s).
Reconciliation with previously Generally Accepted Accounting Practice
1.2 Reconciliation with previously Generally Accepted Accounting Practice In preparing the accounts, the trustees have considered whether in applying the accounting policies required by FRS 102 and the Charities SORP (FRS 102) the restatement of comparative items was required. No restatements were required.
Preparation of the accounts on a going concern basis
1.3
The trustees are of the view that as the reserves of the charity are within the requirement of the charity’s reserves policy, the immediate future of the charity for the next 12 to 18 months is secure and on that basis the charity is a going concern.
1.4 Fund accounting General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the directors in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes. The fund comprises the accumulated surpluses and deficits of unrestricted income and expenditure.
Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the charity for particular purposes. The costs of administering such funds are charges against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements. Investment income and gains are allocated to the appropriate fund.
1.5 Income Items of income are recognised and included in the accounts when all of the following criteria are met:
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the charity has entitlement to the funds;
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any performance conditions attached to the item(s) of income have been met or are fully within the control of the charity;
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it is probable that the income will be received; and
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the amount can be measured reliably
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Income received in advance of the provision of a specified service is deferred until the criteria for income recognition are met . Grants receivable
Grants receivable which relate to the year are credited to income within the Statement of Financial Activities, with unspent balances being carried forward to subsequent years within the relevant fund. Specific debts are recognised where approved grant expenditure exceeds grant income received to date. Grant income relating to future periods is carried forward under creditors.
1.6 Interest receivable
Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the Bank.
1.7 Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT
Expenditure is recognised once there is legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified under the following activity headings:
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Expenditure on raising funds comprises the costs of marketing and promoting the charity and its activities;
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Expenditure on charitable activities includes the direct costs allocated to the performance of activities undertaken to further the purposes of the charity and their associated support costs;
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Expenditure on other items represents those items not falling into any other heading.
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Irrecoverable VAT is charged as an cost against “expenditure on other items”
1.8 Taxation
There is no liability to taxation due to the company’s charitable status.
Diamond & Skillen Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditor Sinclair House, 89/101 Royal Avenue Belfast BT1 1FE
Page 9 of 17
Northern Ireland Environment Link
Notes forming part of the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2024 (cont’d)
1.9 Allocation of costs to funds All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of the resources. 1.10 Non-Current Assets Fixed assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Expenditure is recognised as capital in nature for:
Fixtures & Fittings - Amounts over £1,000 Computers & Equipment - Amounts over £2,500 Depreciation is provided to write off the cost of fixed assets over their anticipated useful lives. Depreciation is provided at the following rates: - Fixtures & Fittings 33.33% straight line - Computers & Equipment 50.00% straight line
1.11 Receivables Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid after taking account of any trade discounts due.
1.12 Cash at bank and in hand Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account. 1.13 Payables and provisions Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in a transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due. 1.14 Pension costs
Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
The company operates a defined contribution scheme. The amount charged to the Statement of Financial Activities represents the contributions payable by the charity during the year. Contributions are invested separately from the company’s assets.
1.15 Reserves Policy
The charity holds a reserve for the following reasons:
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NIEL is reliant upon government funding, and particularly on funding from one Agency within government
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The current funding situation is uncertain; central government funding is being reduced in Northern Ireland, and it is likely that NGOs across NI will be adversely affected in the coming years
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To assist with cashflow
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Evidence of a reasonable level of reserve will : provide confidence to funders and other potential partners; demonstrates NIEL’s sustainability and capacity to manage unforeseen financial difficulty; assist in the long-term strategic planning of the organisation
The Board of Trustees have agreed that NIEL should aim to have a reserve of between 3-12 months operating costs plus wind-up costs. Reserves should be built up and maintained at the desired level in stages consistent with the charity’s overall financial position and its need to maintain and develop its charitable activities.
Based on a 6-month operating cost (unrestricted funds only) of £360,000 and current wind-up costs in the region of £100,000, this makes a target reserve of between £280,000 and £460,000. However due to the Coronavirus pandemic, and the resulting long-term uncertainty, the Board consider it prudent to hold a higher level of reserves, if this can be achieved, until further notice.
2. Legal status of the charity
2.1 Registrations
The charity is a company limited by guarantee, registered in Northern Ireland no. NI034988. The registered office of the company is 89 Loopland Drive, Belfast, BT9 6DW. The members of the company are the directors named herein. In the event of the charity being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £1 per member of the charity.
2.2 Charitable status
The company is registered with HM Revenue & Customs as a charity (ref: XR19598) and is also registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland (ref: NIC101074).
Diamond & Skillen Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditor Sinclair House, 89/101 Royal Avenue Belfast BT1 1FE
Page 10 of 17
3
Northern Ireland Environment Link
Notes forming part of the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2024 (cont’d)
| Income | |
|---|---|
| Totals 2023 £ Totals 2024 £ Restricted funds £ Unrestricted Funds £ |
|
London School of Economics - PCAN2 Innovate UK Healthy Living Centre Alliance - Heritage for Health NI Housing Executive - CNI Adptation University College Cork - TalX Sustain Alliance - Nourish NI Action Renewables - NIPAN KNIB - Education Earth Hub Project HCLF - dormant accounts National Heritage - CRESI National Heritage - Urban Parks PCAN flexible fund Food Foundation - Nourish NI Esmee Fairbairn Trust - NIPAN Esmee Fairbairn Trust - Core DfC - HEF Revival Stream DAERA - D41 Economics funding DAERA - D41 Health Project DAERA - Public Body Reporting DAERA - CNI Mitigation project DAERA - core grant aid Grants received: Other donations received Nourish NI Members subscriptions / ESDF subscriptions Donations: ~~from donations and legacies:~~ |
- 7,722 - 7,722 - 8,406 - 8,406 - 30,144 - 30,144 - 9,648 - 9,648 13,429 0 - - - 9,971 - 9,971 10,000 10,000 - 10,000 17,500 18,368 - 18,368 60,167 12,834 - 12,834 49,827 0 - - 76,281 106,019 - 106,019 17,050 17,050 - 17,050 - 5,122 - 5,122 16,694 55,648 - 55,648 98,000 70,000 - 70,000 - 13,838 - 13,838 20,000 0 - - 25,000 0 - - 112,439 0 - - 52,000 121,927 - 121,927 156,065 228,728 - 228,728 - 314 - 314 - 2,000 - 2,000 5,165 5,885 - 5,885 |
Other charitable income Community Relations Council Cardiff University Belfast Food Network Member servicing ~~from charitable activities:~~ |
1,854 0 - - 5,000 0 - - 667 0 - - 34,949 0 - - 1,799 1,817 - 1,817 |
Staff secondment Other NIOGN Lottery Climate NI contract income Sundry income(incl. reimbursement of various outlays) Joint links ~~from other activities:~~ |
- 22,215 - 22,215 - 2,436 - 2,436 23,773 0 - - 94,945 57,363 - 57,363 1,433 0 - - - 0 - - |
| UK bank interest received ~~from investments:~~ |
681 750 - 750 |
| 894,718 818,205 0 818,205 |
Diamond & Skillen Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditor Sinclair House, 89/101 Royal Avenue Belfast BT1 1FE
Page 11 of 17
4
Northern Ireland Environment Link
Notes forming part of the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2024 (cont’d)
| Expenditure | |
|---|---|
| Totals 2023 £ Totals 2024 £ Restricted funds £ Unrestricted Funds £ |
|
Promotional literature & advertising Fund-raising expenses ~~on raising funds:~~ |
- 6,077 - 6,077 - 0 - - |
Project professional fees Grants payable Project costs Event costs Meeting expenses Programme costs: Bank charges Photocopier rental IT and website Telephone Printing, postage and stationery General administration costs: Staff training Staff travel Travel & training costs: Insurance Repairs, maintenance and new premises costs Cleaning and waste disposal Lighting and heating Water charges Rent Premises and insurance costs Employer pension contributions Temporary staff / recruitment Wages and salaries Employee costs: ~~on charitable activities:~~ |
144,279 52,988 - 52,988 - 0 - - 5,119 21,487 - 21,487 14,000 8,992 236 8,756 1,425 3,447 - 3,447 441 409 - 409 745 413 - 413 12,710 15,602 - 15,602 1,774 755 - 755 1,038 1,773 - 1,773 425 0 - - 9,698 11,010 922 10,088 1,755 1,431 - 1,431 869 33,375 - 33,375 715 261 - 261 1,899 3,548 - 3,548 433 345 - 345 17,203 22,601 - 22,601 33,618 35,705 - 35,705 20,865 9,000 - 9,000 537,117 510,140 - 510,140 |
| On fixtures and fittings Depreciation of assets: Sundry expenses Bad debt write offs Subscriptions paid Other expenses: Other governance costs Accountancy and payroll preparation fees Audit fees Legal and professional fees: ~~on other items:~~ |
- 0 - - 10 200 - 200 - 5,990 - 5,990 - 6,552 - 6,552 51 0 - - 1,445 1,625 - 1,625 2,675 2,675 - 2,675 |
| 810,309 756,401 1,158 755,243 |
Diamond & Skillen Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditor Sinclair House, 89/101 Royal Avenue Belfast BT1 1FE
Page 12 of 17
Northern Ireland Environment Link Ltd
Notes forming part of the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2024 (cont’d)
5
Net incoming resources
| Totals 2023 £ Totals 2024 £ Restricted funds £ Unrestricted Funds £ |
|
|---|---|
| Depreciation of fixed assets Diamond & Skillen - audit fees Diamond & Skillen - accounts preparation Diamond & Skillen - payroll preparation Net incoming resources are stated after charging: |
- 0 - - 2,675 2,675 - 2,675 750 750 - 750 695 875 - 875 |
| 4,120 4,300 0 4,300 |
6 6.1
Employee costs
Salaries and Pensions
| Totals 2023 £ Totals 2024 £ Restricted funds £ Unrestricted Funds £ |
|
|---|---|
| Travel & training costs Pension contributions Employer’s National Insurance Wages and salaries |
10,123 11,010 922 10,088 33,618 35,705 - 35,705 49,601 44,828 - 44,828 488,516 465,312 - 465,312 |
| 581,858 556,855 922 555,933 |
The average number of persons, including part-time staff, employed on UK contracts was 16 (2023: 13) No trustee or director received any remuneration from the charity in the year (2023: none) No employee was paid more than £60,000 in the year (2023: none)
6.2
Trustees’ expenses
Members of the Board of Directors (who are also the Trustees of the charity) receive no remuneration for their services. The Director / Trustees of the charity are eligible to receive reimbursement of expenses incurred for attendance at events and meetings whilst representing NI Environment Link and for attendance at meetings to further the charity’s business plan and attendance at meetings of the Board. The expenses borne by the charity in 2023/24, paid to the directors of the charity were £nil (2023: £nil).
In certain cases, the Director / Trustees are eligible to receive payment for services rendered to the charity. Where this situation occurs, full detail is given at note 17 on page 14.
- 7 Pension costs
The company operated defined contribution schemes in respect of its staff. The schemes and their assets are held by independent managers. The pension charge represents contributions due from the company and amounted to £35,705 (2023: £33,618)
8 Property, plant and equipment
| Totals £ Fixtures & fittings £ Office Equipment £ |
|
|---|---|
| At 31st March 2023 At 31st March 2024 Net book value: At 31 March 2024 Charge for year At 1 April 2023 Accumulated depreciation: At 31 March 2024 Additions At 1 April 2023 Cost: |
0 0 0 ———— ———— ———— 15,007 15,007 0 ———— ———— ———— 0 - - 15,007 15,007 - ———— ———— ———— 15,007 15,007 0 ———— ———— ———— 0 - - 15,007 15,007 - |
| 0 0 0 |
Diamond & Skillen Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditor Sinclair House, 89/101 Royal Avenue Belfast BT1 1FE
Page 13 of 17
9
Northern Ireland Environment Link Ltd
Notes forming part of the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2024 (cont’d)
Receivables
| 9 | Receivables | |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Totals 2023 £ Totals 2024 £ |
|
| Sundry HMRC VAT refund due Prepayments and other debtors: London School of Economics - PCAN2 Innovate UK due Heritage for Health funding due KNIB Education Earth Hub Project funding due Community Relations Council funding due HCLF - Dormant Accounts funding due Urban Green Space funding due Climate Action Mitigation Support funding due Nourish NI funding due Climate NI funding due TalX funding due DAERA - additional grants due DAERA - Core grant due Debtors control Income due: Payables: amounts falling due within one year |
- - 2,876 - - 7,722 - 2,611 1,602 - 17,500 9,872 2,500 - 12,833 - 41,067 8,200 12,500 - 3,429 600 23,312 - 13,429 - 92,822 - 31,894 78,520 29,161 85,803 |
|
| 284,925 193,328 |
||
| Totals 2023 £ Totals 2024 £ |
||
| HM Revenue & Customs - VAT HM Revenue & Customs - PAYE Accrued pension contributions Sundry creditors Company Credit card Accrued expenses Creditors control Accruals and other creditors: |
- 14,615 5,056 10,056 - 6,219 112 112 - 2,996 3,425 19,147 19,156 10,333 |
|
| 27,749 63,478 |
11 Financial Commitments
Unrestricted funds
At 31st March 2024 the company has no annual commitments under non-cancellable leases nor any other financial commitments that are not recognised in the accounts (2023: £nil).
On 1st May 2024 the organisation moved into new premises at Lombard Street in Belfast. The new lease is for 5 years, with rent at £11,270 per annum.
Northern Ireland Environment Link has entered into a number of long term contracts for the supply of services all of which are cancellable.
Restricted funds
The company has no financial commitments relating to restricted funds.
Diamond & Skillen Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditor Sinclair House, 89/101 Royal Avenue Belfast BT1 1FE
Page 14 of 17
Northern Ireland Environment Link Ltd
Notes forming part of the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2024 (cont’d)
| 12 | Statement of Funds |
|---|---|
| 12.1 | Movement on general/designated and restricted funds |
| 12 12.1 |
Statement of Funds Movement on general/designated and restricted funds |
Statement of Funds Movement on general/designated and restricted funds |
|---|---|---|
| At 31 Mar 2024 £ Transfers £ Investment Gains £ Expenditure £ Income £ At 1 Apr 2023 £ |
||
| Total funds Total restricted Arts project TalX Fund Restricted funds (restricted) Total unrestricted Other Earth Hub PCAN2 Innovate UK CNI Adpatation & Mitigation NIPAN Heritage for Health CCC Economics Health Education Public Body Reporting NI Housing Executive Community Relations Council HEF Revival HLCF Dormant Accounts CRESI Project Urban Parks PCAN CNI Mitigation Project Nourish NI Training Climate NI Designated funds (unrestricted) General reserve |
0 - - - - - 9,871 - - (8,496) 18,367 - 5,422 - - (2,300) 7,722 - 6,006 - - (2,400) 8,406 - 65,094 - - (56,833) 121,927 - 79,965 - - (11,820) 65,648 26,137 7,704 - - (22,511) 30,144 71 0 (1,854) - (14,472) 22,215 (5,889) 0 (808) - (3,420) - 4,228 0 10,714 - (10,714) - - 0 - - - - - 0 25 - (25) - - 3,814 - - (3,834) 9,648 (2,000) 0 - - - - - 1,161 - - (1,240) 13,838 (11,437) 31,276 - - (23,217) 12,834 41,659 (352) - - (29,758) - 29,406 28,190 - - (63,289) 106,019 (14,540) 0 147 - (18,637) 17,050 1,440 30,816 - - (31,647) 21,500 40,963 (19,418) - - (42,493) 16,843 6,232 0 (2,060) - - 2,060 - 0 24,200 - (46,443) 35,863 (13,620) 270,552 (37,529) 750 (361,694) 307,371 361,654 |
|
| 520,101 (7,165) 750 (755,243) 817,455 464,304 |
||
| 10 - - - - 10 0 7,165 - (1,158) - (6,007) |
||
| 10 7,165 0 (1,158) 0 (5,997) |
||
| 520,111 0 750 (756,401) 817,455 458,307 |
12.2 Description of funds UNRESTRICTED FUNDS:
-
General Reserve represents the free funds of the charity which are not designated for particular purposes.
-
Climate NI is a contract for servicing and project delivery from the DoE/DAERA. The current contract finished in August 2023 and a new 5-year CNI contract commenced (see below)
-
Training fund is a fund designated to received funds generated by NIEL providing training on environmental issues
-
Nourish NI (previously Belfast Food Network) is grants and income received for servicing and delivery of the Belfast Food network programme.
-
CNI Mitigation Project is a contract with DAERA to provide Mitigation support. This contract finished in August 2023 and a new 5-year CNI contract commenced (see below)
-
PCAN - PCAN (Place-based Climate Action Network) is a Rural Resilience Project that aims to raise awareness amongst farmers and the wider agri-sector, of climate risks and opportunities for farm businesses in Northern Ireland, and practical approaches to adapt and prepare. Feedback from regional Workshops with farmers is shared with agri-policy makers, and the research findings of the project are helping to identify information gaps in this area for the sector
-
Urban Parks - To Co-create a vision and action plan for Northen Irelands public Urban Green Spaces, To bring together hundreds of experts, leaders and enthusiasts from Local Authorities, VCSEs, Health Sector, Private Sector, Investors, Academics and members of the public.
-
CRESI Project - The Covid Recovery Employment and Skills Initiative (CRESI) project is a 3-year funded post for a Historic Environment Projects and Policy Officer, created to help support the sustainability of heritage organisations and assist the sector in recovery from the impacts of the pandemic. Funded by the Department for Communities and delivered by the National Lottery Heritage Fund
-
HLCF Dormant Accounts - Grant to cover 18 months Operations Manager post to build resilience into organisation
-
HEF Revival is a contract from the Department for Communities Support to develop a new heritage sector website including the existing ‘Heritage Delivers’ microsite, requirements associated with the Archaeology 2030 project, and the functionality to add further information.
Diamond & Skillen Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditor Sinclair House, 89/101 Royal Avenue Belfast BT1 1FE
Page 15 of 17
Northern Ireland Environment Link Ltd
Notes forming part of the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2023 (cont’d)
12.2 Description of funds (cont’d)
UNRESTRICTED FUNDS:
-
Community Relations Council - Funding to employ a consultant or researcher to review the nature of engagement of ethnic minorities in environmental issues, projects, and activities, such as volunteering and campaigning with a view to identifying how to increase and extend that engagement in minority ethnic and new communities in NI. This resulted in the publication of the "Change Starts With Us" report which was formally launched in June 2023
-
NI Housing Executive - Climate NI team working with NIHE to develop their first Climate Adaptation plan and to deliver accredited Climate Change training for staff
-
Public Body Reporting - Supporting the Development of Public Body Reporting on Climate Change, which is required by s42 of the Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022.
-
Education - To develop a long term strategy for environmental education in Northern Ireland
-
Health - Funding towards staff recruitment to deliver an Environment and Health project and in particular, design of Social Prescribing Tools & Greenspace Mapping for NI
-
Economics - To Assist in NIEL’s programmes around Environment & Economy and in particular, to provide a secretariat duties to NIEL’s Natural Capital Forum Group, including assistance in the production of a major Natural Capital in NI report
-
CCC - Stephen Jones has been on secondment with the UK Climate Change Committee (Government's independent advisor on climate change) for nearly a year, ending at the 31 October 2023. He has been working on the first ever set of adaptation reports for every region of the UK, as well as helping to design elements of the Fourth UK Climate Change Risk Assessment.
-
Heritage for Health - a new, innovative and regional model combining mental health recovery with natural heritage recovery. It is designed to bring direct benefits to health service users whose mental health has been adversely affected during the pandemic; and at the same time, to involve more people in accessing our natural heritage sites and activities.
-
NIPAN - Project costs for a Protected Areas Network in Northern Ireland to progress conservation & restoration of landscapes and seascapes
-
CNI Adpatation and Mitigation - this is a contract for servicing and project delivery from DAERA (Climate NI) for 5 years. It supercedes the Climate NI and CNI Mitigation projects (above) which closed August 2023
-
Innovate UK - The Climate NI Team successfully applied for funding as a partner of Derry City and Strabane District Council’s bid to the Innovate UK Fast Followers Programme. This project’s aim is to realise the ambition of a net zero climate resilient City & District by 2045 through transformational systems including SMART climate action plans underpinned by place-based insights, collaboration and capacity building. The Climate NI Team will support this project through a number of work packages including supporting the development of an organisational Climate Mitigation Action Plan
-
PCAN2 - This is a follow-on programme to PCAN (see above). PCAN (Place-based Climate Action Network) is a Rural Resilience Project that aims to raise awareness amongst farmers and the wider agri-sector, of climate risks and opportunities for farm businesses in Northern Ireland, and practical approaches to adapt and prepare. Feedback from regional Workshops with farmers is shared with agri-policy makers, and the research findings of the project are helping to identify information gaps in this area for the sector
-
The Earth Hub (Environmental Action for Resilience, Transformation and Health is a new and dedicated online platform which will enable more collaborative working and connectedness between organisations delivering and seeking to deliver environmental action. At the end of the project the environmental sector will be more resilient and prepared for the future through the reduction in duplication, creation of new resources, training and skills development and increased collaboration across the sector.
RESTRICTED FUNDS
-
TalX Fund is a contract for delivery from the Environmental Protection Agency in the Republic of Ireland
-
The Arts Project closed in 2007. This was the reserve balance at the date of closure.
13 Analysis of charity net assets between funds
| Totals 2024 £ Restricted funds £ Unrestricted funds £ |
|
|---|---|
| Current liabilities Current Assets Fixed Assets |
(63,478) - (63,478) 583,589 10 583,579 0 - - |
| 520,111 10 520,101 |
14 Income and expenditure summary
| 2023 £ 2024 £ |
|
|---|---|
| Surplus / (deficit) for the year Net incoming / (outgoing) resources Other expenditure Direct charitable expenditure Resources expended Gross income |
4,181 17,042 806,128 739,359 894,718 818,205 |
| 84,409 61,804 |
|
| 84,409 61,804 |
Diamond & Skillen Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditor Sinclair House, 89/101 Royal Avenue Belfast BT1 1FE
Page 16 of 17
Northern Ireland Environment Link Ltd
Notes forming part of the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2024 (cont’d)
- 15 Reconciliation of changes in resources to net cash inflow / (outflow) from operating activities
2023 £ 2024 £ |
|
|---|---|
| Net cash inflow / (outflow) from operating activities Increase / (decrease) in payables Decrease / (increase) in receivables Adjust for investment income Net incoming resources |
(4,745) 35,729 (92,124) 91,597 (681) (750) 84,374 61,804 |
| (13,176) 188,380 |
16 Returns on investment and servicing of finance
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||||
| UK bank interest received | 750 | 681 |
17 Transfers
17.1 Transfers between unrestricted and restricted funds
- The amount of £7,165 was transferred from the general fund to the TalX Fund to close that fund. This represents the organisation’s contribution to the costs of that project over its lifetime.
17.2 Transfers between unrestricted and designated funds
- The organisation chooses to account for its projects using designated funds. As such, there are a number of transfers made into and out of designated funds to represent the allocation of funds, or the organisation’s contribution to the funds, or the reallocation of a surplus in the designated fund as “general” (often on the conclusion of the project). None of these transfers require separate disclosure inder the Charities SORP FRS102 as these are seen as internal matters.
18 Related party transactions
There were no significant related party transactions identified in the financial year.
Many of the members of the Board of Directors (who are also the Trustees of the charity) represent member organisations of the charity and as such the charity receives income from these by way of subscriptions. No member of the Board of Directors, nor any member of the charity connected to any member of the Board of Directors received payments for services rendered to the charity.
19 Disclosure of relevant circumstances
In common with many other charities of our size and nature we use our auditors to:
-
i. Prepare and submit returns to the tax authorities; and
-
ii. Assist with the preparation of the financial statements; and
-
iii. Prepare and submit payroll calculations to HM Revenue & Customs.
During the year our auditors also assisted the Board in relation to various ad-hoc consultancies.
Diamond & Skillen Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditor Sinclair House, 89/101 Royal Avenue Belfast BT1 1FE
Page 17 of 17