Newtownards District Masonic Charity Fund
Trustee’s Annual report and Statements of Receipts and Payments and Assets and Liabilities
For the year ended 31[st] December 2022
Charity Number: NIC 101729
Contents
| Pages | |
|---|---|
| References and administrative details of the Charity | 1 – 2 |
| Trustees’ Report | 3 – 4 |
| Receipts and Payments account | 5 |
| Statement of Assets and Liabilities | 5 |
| Accounting policies | 6 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 7 |
| Independent Examiners Report to the Trustees | 8 |
NIC101729
1
Newtownards District Masonic Charity Fund
Newtownards District Masonic Charity Fund
Reference and administrative details
Charity Name: Newtownards District Masonic Charity Fund Charity Registration Number: NIC 101729 Contact Address: Mr Leslie Fergus 21 The Hamptons Newtownards BT23 6EB Trustees Mr Raymond Johnston Mr Ian McDonald Mr Leslie Fergus Mr Samuel Snodden Mr John Toy Mr Samuel Weir Principal Officer- bearers President: Mr Raymond Johnston Chairman: Mr James McDowell Secretary: Mr Raymond Johnston Treasurer: Mr Ian McDonald Gift Aid Treasurer: Mr Leslie Fergus
Independent Examiner:
Mrs A. McKeown 4 The Hamptons Ballygowan NEWTOWNARDS BT23 6EB
Bankers:
Ulster bank
Newtownards Branch 22 Frances Street Newtownards BT23 7DP
NIC101729
2
Newtownards District Masonic Charity Fund
Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31[st] December 2022
The trustees present the annual report and statements of Receipts and Payments and Assets and Liabilities for Newtownards District Masonic Charity Fund for the year ended 31[st] December 2022.
Objectives and Activities :
The principal function of the Newtownards District Masonic Charity Fund is to raise funds through the various Masonic Lodges situated within its District. It does so by promoting the benefits of fundraising to the Lodges, assisting them with collecting information about potential beneficiaries identifying other sources of income for those beneficiaries such as rate rebates or other forms of income support. It does this through dedicated individuals within each lodge.
Potential beneficiaries are identified by the respective lodges and application forms completed and forwarded to the Charity Committee. These are reviewed by the Charity Committee, collated, and forwarded to the appropriate masonic charity.
The Committee receives all funds raised by the Lodges, collates, claims tax relief, and distributes to respective Masonic Funds for distribution to beneficiaries.
Achievements, Performance & Public Benefit
The Committee through its subordinate Lodges raised funds which it passed on to various Masonic Funds the principal fund being the Down Masonic Widows Fund which supported 23 widows from the District with a total £22,370.
The Committee supported the local food bank from which it was reported that our donations helped to feed over 80 families.
The Annual Widow’s tea was once again cancelled due to the pandemic.
Financial Review
-
The Committee distributed £10,954.20 to five Masonic Charities the main recipient of which was the Down Masonic Widows Fund. Subordinate lodges directly supported the community by the provision of monies and events, mainly for the elderly.
-
The Committee intends to distribute as much of its receipts as possible less expenses. It is not intending to levy any costs on Lodges for administration as it has sufficient funds within its Committee Account to meet those costs for the foreseeable future.
Going Concern
The trustees have reviewed the budgets for the year ahead and are satisfied that there are adequate funds in place to ensure that the The Newtownards District Masonic Charity Fund can continue its activities and the financial statements for the year ended 2022 can be signed off as a going concern.
Structure, Governance and Management
Governing Document and Constitution of the Charity
The Newtownards District Masonic Charity Fund is governed by the Laws and Constitution as amended and adopted at a meeting held on the 16[th] October 2014 at the Masonic Hall, Regent Street Newtownards.
Recruitment and Appointment of Committee Members (Trustees)
In accordance with the Laws and Constitution the members as defined in that Laws and Constitution appoint annually the following to be the Board of Trustees.
Chairman Secretary Vice Chairman Treasurer Fund treasurer
NIC101729
3
Newtownards District Masonic Charity Fund
Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31[st] December 2021 (continued)
Pay and remuneration.
The Charity Committee does not pay or remunerate any Trustee or member of the Committee.
Organisational Structure
The governance, strategy, management, and administration of The Charity Committee is the responsibility of a Board of Trustees elected in accordance with the constitution to act as trustees of the funds of The Charity Committee.
The Committee meets three times per year and on any other occasion deemed necessary by the Board of Trustees.
Compliance with Public Benefit
The Charity Committee has carefully considered the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland’s guidance on public benefit to ensure that the actives entered into during the year have helped to achieve The Charity Committee’s objectives and activities, as well as providing public benefit.
Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and the statement of receipts and payments and statement of assets and liabilities in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
The law applicable to charities in Northern Ireland with Income of less than £250,000 requires the trustees to prepare a statement of receipts and payments and a statement of assets and liabilities for each financial year.
The trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Committee’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the assets and liabilities of the Charity. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
NIC101729
4