Eastside Partnership Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (con1inu) Year ended 31 March 2023 Reference and admlnlstratlve detalls Registered charlty name Eastside Partnership Charity registration number 102099 Company registration number N1031146 Prlnclpal office and registered Avalon House office 278-280 Newtownards Road Belfast BT4 1HE The trustees M Briggs S Douglas D Gavaghan M Gibson T Haire B Mcconnell J McAlpin A Mcmurray W Clark R Davison G Dorrian A Hassard A Irvine K Purdy G Robinson S Jackson A Flynn M Kelly R Mcmullan D Alderdi P McReynold5 F Bell (Resigned 1 September 2023) (Resigned 1 Saptemb8r 2023) (Resigned 9 June 2023) (Resigned 1 September 2023) (Resigned 1 September 2023) (Resigned 1 September 2023) (Resigned 1 September 2023) (Resigned 9 June 2023) (Resigned 1 September 2023) (Resigned g June 2023) (Resigned 9 June 2023) (Resigned g June 2023) (Resigned 10 June 2022) (Resigned 28 July 2022) (Appointed 10 June 2022) Company secretary Tony Wilson Auditor Finegan Gibson Ltd Chartered accountants & statutory auditor Causeway Tower g James Street South Belfast BT2 8DN Bankers AIB 11-15 Donegall Square North Belfast BT15GB
Eastside Partnership Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Directorfs Report) f¢ontinU) Year ended 31 March 2023 Sollcltors Hewitt and Gilpin Thomas House 14-16 James Street South Belfast BT2 7GA structure, governance and management Goveming Document Eastside Partnership is a Company Limited by Guarantee and is a Charity recognised by the Charity Commission for Nl and HM Revenue and Customs. It is a not for profit organisation. The Company was established under a Memorandum of Association which established the objects and powers of the company and is govern8d under its Articles of Association. Appointment of trustees Trusteeship follows from membership of the Charity. which is made up as follows: Community representatives 4 nominations from the community sector in the East Betfast area, and the Director of East Belfast Communty Development Agency; Political representatives - 3 elected representatives from Belfast City Council and one elected representative of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council; the sitting Member of Parliament for East Belfast: the Chairpersons of each subsidiary and working groups of the Charity. Other representstives - up to 4 nominations. Trustee Inductlon and tralnlng A trustee induction process is in operation. Arrangements ft)r setting pay and remuneration of key management personnel The directors consider the board of directors, who are the charity's trustees. and the senior management team comprise the key management personnel of Ihe charity in charge of directing and controlling. running and operating the ¢harty on a day to day basis. All directors give of their time freely and no director received remuneration in the year. Details of dirèctors, 8xpenses and related party transaGlion5 are disclosed in note 14 to the a¢wunts. The pay of the senior staff is set by reference to NICVA guidance and utilisation of NJC pay scales. In view of the nature of the charity. the directors benchmark against pay levels in other similar size charities when appointing new members of key manag8ment. Organisation structure and how charlty makes declslons Eastside Partnership Is govemed by a Board of Directors. The charity is managed on a day to day basi5 by a Chief Executive. who is at the head of a management team as appointed by the Board of Directors. The Chief Executive, with the assistance of a management team manages the day to day activities of the Partnership, and reports directly to the Chairperson. The Chief Executive and management team also provide progress reports to all board meetings.
Eastside Partnership Company Llmlted by Guarantee Trustees. Annual Report {Incorporating the Director's Report) (eonllnu8d) Year ended 31 March 2023 Structure. governance and management feontlftu•d) Audlt and Rlsk Committee The ARC was set up in 2017 by the ESP Board in order to support them in their responsibilities regarding issues of risk. control. governance and associated assurance. The ARC has delegated responsibility on behalf of the board for ensuring that there is a framework for accountability,. for examining and reviewing all systems and methods of control both financial and otherwise including risk analysis and risk management-, and for ensuring the charity is complying with all aspects of the law, relevant regulations and good practice. The ARC membership consists of no fewer than 3 directors appointed by the ESP board. at least 2 of whom will be from the parent board. and including the board chair. along with one external member to the committee who will be independent of th8 charity and who will bring relevant skills and expartise to it. Pmject committees/boards For each of the key delivery projects. specific objectives are set by the board I committee for each project, and ported against on a quarterly basis to the partnership board. A strategic business plan for each project I subsidiary company is also presented to the board. Neighbourhood Partnerships Th8 Partnership previously established neighbourhood partnerships: Inner East Neighbourhood Partnership and Tullycamet Neighbourhood Partnership. The Neighbourhood Partnerships are in the form of 'coalitions of interesf, with a memorandum of understanding beeen the Partnership and the two Neighbourhood Partnerships. This memorandum forms the basis of the relationship, support and facilitation provid8d by the Partnership. Subsidiary Companies The Partnership have 5 wholly-owned subsidiary companies as follows: Ave¢ Solutions Limited a trading company providing web design and hosting services to the voluntary, community and private sectors. Eastside Propety - a charitable propety development company which acquires and brings back into use unused and derelict properties and seeks to make that accommodation availab18 for organisations. individuals and companies making a positive contribution to the community. Ea5tSide Greenways - a charitable Gompany which was established to promote and support the use. enjoyment and sustainability of the Connswater Community Greenway. Eastside Arts a company which seeks to proTnote the development of Arts activities in East Betfast. Eastside Tourism a company which seeks to advance the education of the public regardlng east Belfast's artistic. industrial, political and social heritage. Relationships with relatedparties None of our trustees receive remuneration or other benefit from their work with the charity.
Eastside Partnership Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (eontlnuad) Year ended 31 March 2023 Structure. governance and management (eonllnu•d) Rlsk management The company aims to mitigate the major risks it faces by implementation of the following proGedures'.- Significant external risks to funding have led to the development of a strategic plan which clearly identifies funding requirements going forward. Internal control risks are minimised by the implementstion of procedures for authorisation of all tpnsactions with a financial implication. Maintenance of a company risk register. which is reviewed at meetings of the Audit and Risk Committee.
Eastside Partnership Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (eorttsnu8d) Year ended 31 March 2023 Objectives and actlvltles Purposes The purpose of Eastside Partnership. as expressed in its objects is to: (1) Promote urban regeneration, community development and the redevelopment and revitalisation of East Belfast and its environs (the "area of benefif) by all or any of the following means: design, promote, implement and evaluate strategies concerned with improving the economic, social. cultural and environmental life of the inhabitants of the area of benefit-, promote study and research, and develop and influence policy and practi, in the fields of urban regeneration and community development. engage with, promote co-operation among. and eslablish strategic partnerships between groups, organisations and agencies in the voluntary and community. statutory and private enterprise sectors: provide a forum for the discussion and debate of urban regeneration, community development and related issues and raise public awareness of these matters., provide strategic and practical support to community and voluntsry groups in the area of b8nefit' such other charitable means as may from time to time be determined. (2) Advance the arts. including promoting and organising performances and events which improve public access to andlor participation in the arts. (31 Advance education for the public benefit by assisting and supporting schools and parents and facilitating the formation of partnerships to improve educational attainment in areas of social and economic deprivation. (4) Promote for the public benefit good community relations, religious and racial harmony, social cohesion and equality and diversity. Public Benefit The public benefits that flow from purpose {1) are: a reduction in social inequalities an increase in the range of facilities and services available to the public. improvement in the quality of seNices delivered to the public and in the efficiency and effectivene55 of agencies delivering 5ervi¢es to the public as a consequence of enhanced knowledge and understanding of the problems, obstacles and potential solutions: heightened motivation. improved inter-agency co-operation. co-ordination and partnership working- and stronger inter-action between these agencies and the community., improved physical appearance of the built environment. resulting in a raising of peop18's sense of quality of lrfe. well-being and aesthetic appreciation of their surroundings., enhanGed opportunities for employment and training for residents living in economically and socially deprtved areas and consequently a reduction in poverty, unemployment and hardship. The public benefits that flow from purpos8 (2) are: a broadening of understanding and awareness of arts and culture: increased opportunities for the public to access the arts as a result of an extending range of arts activities and events taking place," enhanced quality of life and sense of well-being through engaggment with and participation in creative artistic events and activities: renewed enthusiasm for and belief in the arts as a means of expression and fulfillment.
Eastside Partnership Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (¢ontsnu•d) Year ended 31 March 2023 The public benefit that will flow from purpose (3) is: an improvement in educational attainment. capabilities and capacities and potential to secure employment by pupils living in areas of social and economic deprivation The public benefit that flows from purpose (4) is: a gradual transition to a safer, rnore stable and cohesive community and positive citizenship as a result of raised awareness and understsnding, a shared sense of purpose and the creation of safe. neutral environments.
Eastside Partnership Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (¢ontinu¢d) Year ended 31 March 2023 Achievements and performance Report on actlvlty 2022-23 Eastside Partnership, for reasons of effectiveness and good governance, deliver much of their activity through wholly owned subsidiary companies. each of which will report separately. However. reference will also be made in this report as core partnership stsff are also involved in supporting and coordinating the actlvities of all companles withln the group. The main benefits of our activities during the year were: a) provision of a range of facilities and services available to the public; These are provided through our subsidiary company, Eastside Propety, and separately reported there. Examples of services provided diredly by the partnership through these facilities would include the provision of education through the Carew Centre and of heritage educational services through Eastside Visitor Centre with progrèss towards managing the heritage hub at T8mpl8more Baths. b) improvement in the quality of services delivered to the public and in the efficiency and effectiveness of agencies delivering seNices lo the public as a consequence of enhanced knowledge and understanding of the problems. obstacles and potential solutions; heightened motivation- improved inter-agency co-operation, co-ordination and parlnership working- and stronger inter-action beeen these agencies and the community" We have continued to work with key statutory, community and private sector interests to improve service quality, including for example in partnering with schools to deliver community based education initiatives through an agreed Education Framework, a more coordinated approach to the development of the Newtownards Rd, supporting the Inner East Neighbourhood RenevRI Partnership and Tullycarnet Neighbourhood Partnership and through working with The Executive Office's Urban Village initiative. c) improved physical appearance of the built environment, resulting in a raising of people's sense of quality of lrfe. well-being and aesthetic appreGiation of their surroundings. We continu8 to work with Belfast City Council to 8nsur8 C.S. Lewis Square and the Connswater Community Greenway is maintained as a high quality facility for local residents. which has enhanced the physical appearan of this part of inner East Belfast, with heavy use by local residents and V15itors alike and an increase in physical activity. We continue to lobby for further greenway development in east Belfast through the Eastside Greenways strategy to contribute to the ongoing physlcal regeneration of of the area. d) a broadening of understsnding and awareness of arts and culture., Through widespread engagement with local residents. businesses and elected representatives, alongside our social media promotional activity, many more people have come to appreciate, and engage In. arts activity in the east of the city. We deliver all round arts and cultural activity at indoor and outdoor venues across east Belfast with a particular focus on C.S. Lewis Square as an important public space for cultural regeneration activity. The space hosts a variety of events for the local community and visitors alike which ranges from monthly markets, fitness sessions, family fijn days and live music such as 4 nights of music as part of the Ea5tSide Arts Festival and 2 nights of music in July, both showcasing a thriving and talented
Eastside Partnership Company Llmlted by Guarantee Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (conllnu8d) Year ended 31 March 2023 artistic community. e) increased opportunities for the public to access the arts as a result of an extended range of arts activities and events tsking place., We continue to deliver an all year round community arts programme with a focus on local venues and opportunities whiGh meets the needs of local people and in areas of social disadvantage and increasing public access to the arts for social impact and well-being. This included the weekly Eastside Arts Choir and the Big Kids Society which provides public creative workshops in a variety of different art forms. A lot of time was spent on programme and preparation work with the Gertrude Star Flute band in the lead up to the Fifes and Fusion performance at the July event at C.S. Lewis Square. We delivered the Eastside Arts Festival and C.S. Lewis Festival with programming to celebrat8 people and place in the area, engaging local people to participate in the arts. The Greenway project continues to deliver an all year round animation programme which includes cultural activty as a driver of visits and use of the space to promote health and well being and Civic pride. fj renewed enthusiasm for and belief in the arts as a means of expression and fulfilment; With the audience growing, and numbers of volunteers increasing. for the wide range of arts activities delivered this year, this has been a clear indication of the increased commitment and enthusiasm which we have experienced. Example5 of this include our project with the Gertrude Star Flute Band which recognised the musicalty and talent in the band as an impactful and participative art form. g) an improvement in educational attainment. capabilities and capacities and potential to secure employment by pupils living in areas of social and economic deprivation. We continue to utilise funding from the Dept of Justice via the Dept of Education to continue the Eastside Learning project with a variety of programmes to raise aspirations. improve educational attainment and develop community and statutory relationships for the benefit of children and families. Examples of this include the Eastside Earfy Years Neork, Forest Schoo15 Programme and ABC after school project. h) a gradual transition to a safer, more stable and Cohesive community and positive citizenship as a result of raised awareness and understanding, a shared sense of purpose and the creation of safe, neutral environments; The partnership has continued to engage in city wide initiatives, particularly wtth the arts, tourism and regeneration initiatives between east and west Belfast, which has helped increase understanding and a sense of shared purpose as we cooperate on programme delivery. C.S. Lewis Square l Eastside Visitor Centre ha5 also opened up an entirely new 'shared space, with diverse programming to meet the needs of many people from many differant backgrounds and traditions. right in the heart of the community and plans have now been developed to extend the centre.
Eastside Partnership Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (contlnued) Year ended 31 March 2023 Financlal revlew The results for the year are set out in detail on pages 18 to 37. The company returned net incomel(expenditure) for the year of £30.324 (2022: (£42,006)). At 31 March 2023. the total funds of the charity amounted to £389,070 (2022: £358,746), comprising $triCted funds of £251,207 (2022: £224,318) and unrestricted funds of £137,863 (2022: £134,428). The unrestricted funds are considered to be essential to provide sufficient funds to cover any unforeseen costs which may arise and fulfill the legal obligations of the charity in the event that currant levels of income are not maintained. Investment powers and policy Aside from retaining a prudent amount in reserves each year most of the Gharity's funds are to be spent in the short term so there are few funds for long term investment. The directors. having regard to the liquidity r8quirements of the organisation and to the reserves policy have operated a policy of keeping available funds in an interest bearing deposit account. ReseThes policy and going concem A policy has been implemented by the company in order to recognise the Gharity's requirements for reserves in light of the main risks to the organisation. It has established a policy whereby the unrestricted funds not Committed should equate to beeen 25 % and 50% of annual administration overheads. The aim is to provide sufficient funds to cover any unforeseen costs which may arise. as well as allowing for the payment of any liabilities which would arise should the company caase to operate. Plans for future periods The charity plans continuing the activilies outlined above in forthcoming years, subject to satisfactory funding arrangements. The key themes outlined in the Eastside Partnership strategic plan will be the areas where resources are focused in the forlhcoming year. Trustees. responsibilities statement The trustees, who are also directors for the purposes of company law, are responsible for preparing the trustees, report and the financial statements in accordan with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted A¢counting PractiC8). Company law requires the charity trustees to prepare financial statements for each year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, for that period. 10
Eastside Partnership Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued) Year ended 31 March 2023 In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to= select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently.. observe the rnethods and principles in the applicable Charities SORP,. make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudenl-, prepare the financial staternents on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business. The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain Ihe charity's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy al any lime Ihe financial Posttion of the charrty and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the asset5 of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and dete¢tion of fraud and other irregularities. Audltor Each of the persons who is a Iru5tee at the date of approval of this port confirms that.. so far as they are aware. there is no relevant audit infomiation of which the charity's auditor is unaware; and they have taken all steps that they ought to have taken as a trustee to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the charty's auditor is aware of that information. Small company provislons This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies entitled to the small companies exemption. The twstees. annual report was approved on 1 December 2023 and signed on behalf of the board of trustees by.. Tony Wilson Char(ty Secretary 11