Eastside Partnership
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporatlng the Director's Report)
Year ended 31 March 2024
The trustees, who are also the directors for the purposes of company law. present their report and the
financial ststements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024.
Reference and administratlve detalls
Registered charity name
Eastside Partnershlp
Charity registratlon number
102099
Company registration number N1031146
Prlnclpal offlce and reglstered Avalon House
office
278-280 Newtownards Road
Belfast
BT41HE
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 Bell
L Feeney
S Burns
F Bell
B Anderson
H Buick
T Ripley- McElvogu8
M Stewart
R Brooks
(Resigned 1 September 2023)
(Resigned 1 September 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 9 June 2023)
(Resigned 9 June 2023)
(Resigned 9 June 2023)
(Appointed 1 December 2023)
(Appointed 1 December 2023)
(Appointed 1 December 2023)
(Appointed 1 December 2023)
(Appointed 1 December 2023)
(Appointed 1 December 2023)
(Appointed 1 December 2023)
(Appointed 1 December 2023)

Eastside Partnership
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) {continued)
Year ended 31 March 2024
Reference and administrative details
Company secretary
Tony Wilson
Auditor
Finegan Gibson Ltd
Chartered accountants & ststutory auditor
Causeway Tower
9 James Street South
Belfast
BT2 8DN
Bankers
AIB
11-15 Donegall Square North
Belfast
BT15GB
Solicitors
Hewitt and Gilpin
8 High Street
Holywood
Co. Down
BT18 9AZ

Eastside Partnership
Company Limlted by Guarantee
Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporatlng the Director's Report) (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2024
Structure. governance and management
Govemlng Document
Eastside Partnership is a Company Limited by Guarantee and is a Charity recognised by the Charty
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 governed under its Articles of Association.
Appolntment 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 Belfast area,
and the Director of East Belfast Community Development Agency.
Political representatives - 3 elected representatives from Belfast City Council and one e18Cted
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 representatives - up lo 4 nominations.
Trustee induction and training
A trustee induction process is in operation.
Arrangements ftir settlng pay and remuneratlon 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 the charity in charge of directing and
controlling, running and operating the charity on a day to day basis. All directors give of their time
freely and no director received remuneration in the year. Details of directors, expenses and related
party transactions are disclosed in note 14 to the accounts.
The pay of the senior staff is set by r8ference to NICVA guidance and utilisation of NJC pay scales. In
view of the nature of the charity, the diredors benchmark against pay levels in other similar size
charities when appointing new members of key management.
Organisatlon structure and how charity makes decisions
Eastside Partnership is govemed by a Board of Directors. The charity is managed on a day to day
basis 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 progres5 reports to all board meetings.

Eastside Partnership
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2024
Structure, governance and management {contlnuedJ
Audit and Risk Commlttee
The ARC was set up in 2017 by the ESP Board in order to support them in thelr responslbilities
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 Ihan 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 the
charity and who will bring relevant skills and expertise to tt.
Pmject committees/boards
For each of the key delivery projects. specific objectives are set by the board I committee for each
project. and reported against on a quarterly basis to the partnership board. A stralegic business plan
for each project I subsidiary company is also presented to the board.
Neighbourhood Partnerships
The Partnership previously established two neighbourhood partnerships- Inner East Neighbourhood
Partnership and Tullycarnet Neighbourhood Partnership. The Neighbourhood Partnerships are in the
form of 'coalitions of interesv. with a memorandum of understanding belween the Partnership and the
two Neighbourhood Partnerships. This memorandum forms the basis of the relationship, support and
facilitation provided by the Partnership.
Subsidiary Companies
The Partnership have 5 wholly-owned subsidiary companies as follows:
•Avec Solutions Limited
a trading company providing web design and hosting services to the
voluntary, community and private sectors.
•EastSide Property - a charitable propety development company which acquires and brings back into
use unused and derelict properties and seeks to make that accommodation available for
organisalions. individuals and companie5 making a positive contribution to the community.
•EastSide Greenways - a charitable company which was established to promote and support the use.
enjoyment and sustainability of the Connswater Community Greenway.
.EastSlde Arts - a company which seeks to promote the development of Arts actlvities in East Belfast.
.EastSide Tourism - a company which seeks to advance the education of the public regarding 8ast
Belfast's artistic. industrial. political and social heritage.
Relationships with related Pa￿eS
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) (contlnued)
Year ended 31 March 2024
Structure. governance and management (CDntlnuedJ
Risk management
The company aims to mitigate the major risks it faces by implementation of the following procedures:.
.Significant extemal risks to fijnding have led to the development of a strategic plan which clearly
identifies funding requirements going forward.
.Intemal control risks are minimised by the implementation of procedures for authorisation of all
transactions with a financial implication.
•Maintenanc8 of a company risk register, which is reviewed at meetings of the Audit and Risk
Committee.
Objectives and activities
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 benefit") by all or any of the following means:
.Design, promote, implement and evaluate slrategies concemed 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 practice. in the fields of urban
regeneration and community development.,
.Engage with. promote co-operation among. and establish strategic partnerships be￿een 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 Ihe area of benefiL
•Such other charitable means as may from time to time be determined.
(2) Advan￿ the arts, including promoting and organising perfomiances and events which improve
public access to andlor participation in the arts.
(3) Advance education for Ihe 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 hamiony. social
cohesion and equality and diversity.

Eastside Partnership
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (contlnu8d)
Year ended 31 March 2024
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 services delivered to the public and in the efficiency and effectiveness
of agencies delivering services to the public as a consequence of enhanced knowledge and
understanding of the problems, obstacles and potential solutions.- heightened molivaÉion,' improved
inter-agency co-operation. cTrordination and partnership working- and stronger inter-action bel￿een
these agencies and the community.,
.Improved physical appearance of the built environment. resulting in a raising of people's sense of
quality of life, well-being and aesthetic appreciation of their surroundings.
•Enhanced opportunities for employment and training for residenls living in economically and socially
deprived areas and consequently a reduction in poverty. unemployment and hardship.
The public benefits that flow from purpose (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
activtties and events taking place-
.Enhanced quality of life and sense of well-being through engagement with and participation in
creative artistic events and activities,.
.Renewed enthusiasm for and belief in the arts as a means of expression and fulfillment.
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 8conomic deprivation
The public benefrt that flows from purpose (4) is:
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.

Eastside Partnership
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (contlnu8dJ
Year ended 31 March 2024
Achievements and performance
Report on activity 2023-24
Eastside Partnershlp, for reasons of effectiveness and good govemance, deltver 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 staff are also involved in supporting and
coordinating the activities of all companies within the group.
The main benefits of our activtties 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 Property. and separately reported
there. Examples of services provided directly 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 and managing the heritage hub at Templemore Baths, which commenced in
July 2023.
b) Improvement in the quality of services delivered to the public and in the efficiency and effectiveness
of agencies delivering servi￿$ to the public as a consequence of enhanced knowledge and
understanding of the problems, obstscles and potential solutions; heightened motivation-, improved
inter-agency co-operation, co-ordination and partnership working; and stronger inter-action between
these agenGie5 and the communty;
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 Renewal Partnership and
Tullycarnet Neighbourhood Partnership and through working with The Ex8CUtIV8 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 appreciation of their surroundings-,
We continue to work with Belfast City Council to ensure C.S. Lewis squa￿ and the Connswater
Community Greenway is maintsined as a high quality facility for local residents. which has enhanced
the physical appearance of this part of inner East Belfast, with heavy use by local residents and
visitors alike and an increase in physical activity. We continue to lobby for further greenway
development in east Belfasl through the Eastside Greenways strategy to contribute to the ongoing
physical regeneration of of the area.
d) A broadening of understanding 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 appreciat8, 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 fun days and live music such as part of Eastside Art5

Eastside Partnership
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (conllnued)
Year ended 31 March 2024
Festival in July and the Eastside July Weekender, both showcasing in thriving and tslented artistic
community.
e) Increased opportunities for the public to access Ihe arts as a result of an extended range of arts
activities and events taking place:
We continue to deliver an all y8ar round community arts programme with a focus on local venues and
opportunities which 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 new project called 'Creative Citizens, began with three
main elements. the first will involve extensive research into what is currently available creatively in
east Belfast and to identify the barriers to participalion in arts and creative activities in the area. Th8
second will use the research to inform the 'Everyday Creativity, project, a project which will encourag8
People across east Belfast to enjoy moments of creativty as they go about their daily lives. The third
element of the programme will be the development and implementation of a training programme which
will provide professional development opportunities and support creative career paths for people in
east Belfast.
We delivered the Eastside Arts Festival and C.S. Lewis Festival with programmlng to celebrate
'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 activity 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 th8 arts as a means of expression and fulfillment:
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 experien￿d.
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, improv8 educational
attainment and develop community and statutory relationships for the benefit of children and families.
Examples of this include the Eastside Early Years Network. Forest Schools 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 with the arts. tourism and
regeneration initiatives be￿een 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 cent￿ has also opened up an entirely new 'shared space, with
diverse programming to meet the needs of many people from many different 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 Directorfs Report) (conllnued)
Year ended 31 March 2024
Financial revlew
The results for the year are set out in detail on pages 17 10 34. The company returned net
incomel(expenditure) for the year of £4.909 (2023'.£30,324). At 31 March 2024, the total funds of the
charity amounted to £393,979 (2023.. £389.070), comprising restricted funds of £236,878 (2023..
£251,207) and unrestricted funds of £157,101 (2023: £137,863).
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 current
levels of income are not maintained.
Investment powers and policy
Aside from retaining a prudent amount in reserves each year most of the charity's funds are to be
spent in the short term so ther8 are few funds for long tenn investment. The directors. having regard to
the liquidity requirements of the organisation and to the reserves policy have operated a policy of
keeping available funds in an interest bearing deposit account.
Reserves policy and going Concern
A policy has been implemented by the company in order to recognise the charity'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 between 25Yo 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 cease to
operate.
Plans for future periods
The charity plans continuing the activities 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 forthcoming year.
Trustees. responsibilities staternont
The trustees, who are also directors for the purposes of company law, are responsible for preparing
Ihe trustees, report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United
Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the charty twstees to prepare financial statements for each year which give a
true and fair view of the stste of affairs of the charitable company and the incoming r8sources and
application of resources, including the income and expenditure, for that period.

Eastside Partnership
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees, Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continueo)
Year ended 31 March 2024
In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required lo..
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently",
observe the methods and Principles in the applicable Charities SORP.,
make judgmen15 and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent-
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate lo presume
that the charity will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and
explain the Charity's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial
position of the charity and enable them lo ensure that the financial slalemenls comply with the
Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hen¢e
for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Auditor
Each of the persons who is a trustee al the date of approval of this report confirms that..
so far as they are aware, there is no relevant audit information of whi¢h the Charity's auditor is
unaware". and
they have taken all steps that they ought to have taken as a Iru51ee lo make themselves aware of
any relevant audit information and to establish that the Charity's auditor is aware of that
information.
Small Gompany provislons
This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companie5 enlilled to
the small companies exemption.
The trustees, annual report was approved on 6 December 2024 and signed on behalf of the board of
trustees by..
Tony Wilson
Charity Secretary
10