FERMANAGH COMMUNrrY TRANSPORT REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Cornpanie5 Act 2006, present their report with the financlal statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2023. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reportina by Charities.. Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reportinq Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland {FRS 102) {effective I january 2019). OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Objertives and aims The principal objectives are to reduce sociol exclusion by providing an affordable, accessible and reliable transport service in rural areas of Ferrnanagh. Artlvltles and achlevements Rural Dlal a Llft Door to Servlce Comparing 2Q22123 agalnst 2019120, performance of the Rural Dial-a-Lift Service by number of trlps In 2023 (26,777) is at 99P/o of 2020 {27,037} performance. This repSentS a considerable achievement on the part of Fermanagh Community Transport, given our reduced operatlonal capacity overall which was impacted heavily by energy and cost inflation across the board. The largest purpose by category Is day opportunities which stands at 43.80/0 or IL.782 trips. This indicate5 that a very significant number of disabled and elderly rural individuals rely on our service to get them to their day opportunities. In second place 15 5hoppingl personal bu5iness/ social visits which accounts for 29.7% or 8,033 of all the trips tjndertaken in 2022-2023. Third is education at 9.6¥0 or 2,571 trips and trainlng and ernployment at 6,3% or 1,687 trlps. Health related trips account for a combined 9.70kn (2,597)of all trips in 2022-2023. Dlsablllty Actlon Transport Stheme Comparlng 2022123 against 2019120, the Dlsablllty Artlon Transport Scheme by number of trips In 2023 {1,705) was at 90Wo of 2020 (1,900} perfomiance. There has been a remarkable recovery slnce COVID'S peak. In 2022 to 2023, the DATS was without a sufficient driver resource for a number of rnonth5 and this is reflected in the flgures. In terms of trips by purpose through the Disability Attlon Transport Scheme In Ennlsklllen town, an even higher percentage at 63.6010 of individuals compared to the DAL service 43.80h rely on the seiCe to access day opportunities, This Is perhaps less of a surprise given that the DATS seIce Is specifically focused on those with a disabillty and those over 85 plus. Health related appointments account for 18.4Wo of Bll DATS trips in 2022 to 2023. 80th the DAL and DATS figures are hugely posltive and encouraglng and demonstrate that FCT has the confidence and trust of Its members to transport them safely as they access their basic and essentlal services. The build back in patronage is astoundlng when compared to tradltlonal public transport patronage whlch Is running well behind the figures achieved by FCT. Covid encouraged many more people to move to private vehicle5 as well as the Increase in worklng from home. Volunteer Soclal Car Schem¢ Last year FCT had 5 volunteers under Its volunteer social car scheme. This has risen to 8 in 2022-2023, The volunteers continue to play a vital role in helping us achieve and dellver so much more than we could were we relying entirely on our paid drivers alone. The volunteers continue to glve u5 an enhanced agility and re5ponslvene55 whlch contlnues to allow Us to facilitate and accommodate the increasing demand for trips related to GP appointments and out-patient hospital appointments. We extend our sincere thank you to the volunteer5 who are an exceptional group of people. We will be endeavouring to recruit more volunteers in 2023-2024, especially in the more remote and farthest reaches of Fermanagh.
FERMANAGH COMMUNrrY TRANSPORT REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 Group Hlre With and Without Fcf Driver Group hirè remain5 negligible. Fermanagh does not have the size or density of population of the other -oJnt.-es in Northern Ireland, no,- dae5 i: have the econ?mic value. Fermanagl records tb,n low=st -cnnomic value of the other counties in Northem Ireland. As such, the vehicle hire with driver market is sirnply not there. Of the groups in the past who did avail of this service, many of gone out of operation due to an end of funding streams and the rislng costs of Dperatlon. A welcome departure from the decline In group vehicle hire with driver has been the signlflcant take-up of the support available to voluntary and community groups through with the support of the Cost of Living Support programme from Fermanagh and Omagh District Council up to the value of £IOk in 2022-2023. Under the programme, local community and voluntary groups were being offered free membershlp for one year, free MIDAS trainlng for volunteers and two days free group mlnibus hire. As well as this, the funding has also been used to facilitate transport to out of area hospital appointments for people who are struggling with the cost of livlng. It has been tremendously rewardin9 to see the interest and value placed in thi5 programme of support by groups and individuals. Thi5 is something we will be looklng to build on in 2023 to 2024. Membershlp Numbers Membership of FCT'S Rural Dial a Lift Door to Door Service has witnessed an Increase in membership from 877 members In June 2019 to 1.083 members in March 2023. Thi5 15 a trend which can only be expected to continue to grow given the ageing demographic and the increasing inaccessibility, unaffordability, unavailability and infrequent publlc transport services and the exorbitant cost of taxls In the County. FCT contlnues to Ilalse and collaborate with Fermanagh and Omagh Dlstrlct Councll Communlty and Voluntary Sector Forum, Community Plannlng Transport Poverty and Antl-Poverty Worklng Groups, South West Ageing Partnership, Communlty Transport Assoclation UK, Rcfps Managers. Forum and DfE, Queens University of elfast, Disabillty Action, RNIB, as well as supportlng numerous other Inltlatlves locallyi reglonally and UK wide. Dfl Blue Green Capital Infrastructure Fund - Electric Mlnibus Last year we were SucsSful in our bid to the Dfl Blue Green Capltal Infrastructure Fund for funding to purchase a 13-seater fully Bcce551ble mlnibu5. The minlbus was to be operated as part of a pllot scheme being overseen by DfI. It was clear In the last pnnual report that significant delays plagued the promSsed delivery of the vehicle. Regrettably, the company Nu-Track Ltd responsible for the supply and delivery of the vehicle was put into adminlstratlon in 2022-2023. Fermanagh Community Transport along with five other rural communlty transport partnershlps each lost more than £70k each. Each was an unsecured credttor. Not only was this a loss In financlal terms for FCT, but it represented a huge 1055 for those Indivlduals who rely on our servlce and support, as well as an important and exciting opportunity to test the technology. A conditlon of applylng for the Blue Green Fund was that each sucssful organisatlon had to remove a conventional Internal combustion englne (ICE) from its fleet, In real terms. F Ltd experlenced the loss of two vehlcles.
FERMANAGH COMMUNITY TRANSPORT REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 Public beneflt The Trustees of Fermanagh Community Transport conflrm that they have complied with their duty under section 4(6) of the Charltles Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 to have reoard to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland's guidance on public benefit and that the public benefit requirement has informed the activities of the charltable company In the year ended 31 March 2023. Achlevement and performance Charltable activities The organi5ation has maintained its membership and its level of services to the target population throughout the year. Flnancial review Financial position Sources of funding for the Charity have remalned Stable wlth the charlty generating a deficlt durlng the year of £(100,724) (2022: Surplus £127,729). The Charity ha5 used its reserves to cover the deficit in line with the Charity's Reserves Policy. Reserves pollcy Fermanagh Community Transport's current pollcy is to trade and deliver servlces. employ stsff, rent premises, purchase/hire/lease vehicles and equiprnentl purchase goods and services. The Fermanagh Community Tran5POrt Tru5tee5 must ensure that it has sufficlent resources. It 15 considered good Practi to seek to build financial reserves which will enable the organisation to meet future commitments or unforeseen expense5 Without a negative impact on the ability to deliver services or develop our business in the manner planned. By holding reseNes, the organlsation will be able to; l. absorb setbacks and take advantage to change and opportunity, 2. demonstrate a plan for viability beyond the Immediate future and provlde reliable service5 over the Songer term,. 3. dernonstrate to funders that the oryanlsation has given consideration to long-term plans and vlablllty, Prlnclpal rlsks and uncertainties The Trustees have conducted a review of the key risks facing the charity and have established procedures to manage those risks. Significant external risks In relation to fundlng have led to the development of a Strategic plan which allows for the diversification of funding and activities. Intemal risks are minimised by the implementation of procedures for authorisatlon of all transactions and to ensure conslstent quality of dellvery for all operational aspects of the charlty. These procedures are periodically reviewed to ensure that they 5t ill meet the needs of the charitv. Going Concern The financial statement5 are ppared on a going concem basis, which assumes the charity wlll be in operational existence for a period of at least 12 months from the date the accounts have been signed, notwlthstandlng the fact the oroanlsation generated a total deficit in the year of £100,724 {2022 surplus of £127,729). Included within the results for the year was a loss on disposal of fixed asset of £53,822. Since the year end, the charlty has received notification of potential cessation of funding from its main grant funder of the Rural Transport Fund Scherne by the Department of Infrastructure. At the date of slgning these financlal statements, the charity remains confident ar¥ appropriate resolution can be sought and fundlng provided, and whilst they await a final decislon, the charity has suffficient reserves to discharge all it5 liabilitie5 as they fall due until. However, the ability of the charity to corstinue as a going concern Is dependent on such funding belng made avallable and the directors have prepared the ffinancial statements on the going concern basls, on the assumption such fundlng will be received.
FERMANAGH COMMUNrrY TRANSPORT REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 STRATEGIC REPORT srRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governing document The charity is controlled by Its goveming document, a (Jeed ol trusl, and constitutes a liinited compèny, limited bv guarantee, ès defined by the Companies Act 2006. Organl$atlonal structure Fermanagh Community Transport is a company Ilmlted by guarantee, not having a share capltal. It Is regISted as charlty with the Charity Commission NI. The charitable company wa5 established under a Memorandum of Association whlch established the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under Its Artlcles of A550Clation. Anyone wlthln the area of benefit who subscrlbes to the objects of the Company can become a member of the Company. Suitable new Trustees are recruited from among the members by the ajrrent trustees and presented to the AGM to be appointed as per the Governing Document. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Reglstered Company number N1610269 (Northem Ireland) Registered Charlty number 101626 Registered office 42 Enniskillen Business Centre Enniskillen BT74 4RL Trustees Barry Boyle Eileen Drumm Allison Forbes Catherine Magowan Dovid Monaghan Company Secretary David Monaghan REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Audltors Cavana9hKelly Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors 36-38 Northland Row Dungannon Co, Tyrone 8T71 6AP
FERMANAGH COMMUNrrY TRANSPORT REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES. RESPONSIBILITIES The trustees {who are also the directors of Femianagh Community Transport for the purposes of company low) are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accountlng Practlce). Company law qUireS the trustees to prepare financlal statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affalrs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing those financlal statements. the trustees are required to select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consSstently' observe the methods and principle5 in the Charity SORP. make Judgements and estlmate5 that are reasonable and prudent; prepare the financlal statement5 on the golng concern basls unless It is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue In business. The tnjstees are responsible. for keeping proper accounting records whlch disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charltable company and to enable them to ensure that the flnanclal statements comply with the Companies Act 2006, They are also responsible for safeguarding the a55ets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other IrgUIanties. In so far as the trustees are aware: there 15 no relevant audtt Infom)atlon of which the charitable company's auditors are unawa, and the trustees have taken all steps that they ou9ht to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant audit informatlon and to establish that the auditors are aware of that Information. AUDITORS The auditors, CavanaghKellyt will be proposed for re-appointment at the forthcoming Annual General Meeng. Report of the tru5tee5, incorporating a strategic report, approved by order of the board of trustees, as the company dirertors, on 27 June 2023 and signed on the board's behalf by: Catherlne Magowan Trustee