EDENVILLA LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2025
The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 30 April 2025.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charitable company's Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Companies Act 2006 and "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 1 January 2019).
Objectives and activities
The objectives of the charitable company are set out in the Memorandum and Articles of Association of Edenvilla Limited. The main purpose is to maintain and develop property and facilities for recreation and to promote the benefit of the inhabitants of Portadown and its environs.
The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland in deciding what activities the charitable company should undertake.
Achievements and performance
This year the focus was to consolidate our financial performance following the extraordinary repair costs incurred through flood damage to the pavilion in December 2022, as well as ongoing issues with the generator and the flood lighting system in 2023 and 2024. Irwins ME were contracted to carry out an energy audit of the facilities to identify any potential cost savings.
Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Council (ABC Council) continued to provide annual support towards maintenance costs through a Service Level Agreement (SLA). Education Authority (EA) and Craigavon Senior High School do not contribute any financial support to the upkeep of the facilities. A case for a significant increase in the support provided was made again to ABC Council this year, with no agreement yet reached.
Alan Smith held the position of groundskeeper for the third year and provided excellent service. The Chair and Treasurer updated Edenvilla policy and governance documents including Safeguarding, Lone Worker and Accident Reporting and ratified the same at the AGM.
We were successful in some of our grant applications, firstly to the Halifax Foundation for support for the work of Community Engagement worker, P Smith, and also to Go Succeed (ABC Council) for a contribution to the charity maintenance costs. Two trustees also attended training in how to source grant funding, with support from Forsythe Consulting. However, although we were also successful in an application to Your School, Your Club, we were very disappointed when the funding was then rescinded at short notice. We continued to protest this decision and the subsequent change in criteria which ruled out support for replacement lights and/or replacement pitch surface in the new financial year.
In addition, a range of meetings have been held throughout the year with a variety of community stakeholders with regard to the replacement of the artificial playing surface of the sports pitch. In December 2024, EA committed to producing a pitch survey to establish its lifespan and/or maintenance needs. We still await the outworking of this process.
Financial review
The charitable company's financial results are set out in detail on pages 6 to 15.
There is an overall surplus on funds this year of £11,076 (2024 - £8,835 deficit). The trustees have tried hard to make savings were possible, however this is made difficult with a lot of costs continuing to rise. The main source of income is from hire charges. Pitch space after 5pm is fully booked and as users are being charged a rate that is reflective of other facilities the trustees feel that there is little opportunity to generate additional income.
The accumulated funds (unrestricted and restricted) now stand at £75,826.
Structure, governance and management
The charitable company is a company limited by guarantee, governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 29 May 1998 and as updated on 14 November 2001.
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EDENVILLA LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2025
The trustees who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were: Mr M A J Thompson Ms R M Harkness (Resigned 24 September 2024) Ms K Leitch Mr G Titler (Resigned 21 October 2025) Ms B E Wright Mrs K L Caldwell (Resigned 24 September 2024) Mrs K G Castles Mr L McIlwrath Mr C J Gordon (Appointed 22 October 2024) Ms A S Lennon (Appointed 24 September 2024 and resigned 21 October 2025) Ms J Miniss (Appointed 22 October 2024)
The trustees of the charitable company are also directors for the purposes of company law. Under the requirement of the Memorandum and Articles of Association, all the members of the Board of Directors retire at the Annual General Meeting. The number of directors should be between six and thirteen.
None of the directors have any beneficial interest in the charitable company. In the event of the charitable company being wound up, members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1.
Organisation
The trustees administer the charitable company and oversee the day to day running of the complex. The Board meets approximately 5/6 times per year. There are two part time employees, a caretaker/groundsman and a community engagement worker. There is also a small number of volunteers who are responsible for administration and bookings.
Reserves policy
The trustees have examined the charitable company's requirements for reserves in relation to general maintenance and replacement of the synthetic playing surface, the previous surface having been replaced in 2010. It believes that the charity reserves should continue to be built up as it cannot rely on additional grants over and above those promised by ABC Council.
The level of reserves is reviewed annually but has not been able to be built up to the desired level in stages consistent with the charity's overall financial position and its need to maintain its charitable activities. A recent business case estimated that a replacement sand-dressed pitch would cost approximately £315,000.
At the balance sheet date, unrestricted reserves amounted to £71,617 of which £50,524 is held at bank and cash in hand.
Plans for the future
The trustees aim to continue managing the facility in an efficient manner for the benefit of the local community. However, during the forthcoming year, will need to explore the future of our partnership with EA and ABC Council.
A proposal to update the constitution at the 2025 AGM is designed to ensure a wider range of directors can hold a dedicated position of responsibility.
Directors have developed a 10 year plan which includes a section on reducing costs and improving our environmental performance (e.g. through more efficient use of floodlighting), as well as exploring facility improvements which could generate some of the additional income required for the future pitch refurbishment (e.g. a small training pitch and a community meeting space/coffee dock).
Funding for these improvements, as well as any upgrades in machinery, rely on either increased revenue support or additional grant funding. A subgroup is to liaise with the Portadown Hockey clubs regarding fundraising opportunities.
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EDENVILLA LIMITED (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) TRUSTEES’ REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2025
In preparing this report, the trustees have taken advantage of the small companies exemptions provided by section 415A of the Companies Act 2006.
Registered Office:
Edenvilla Park
Bachelors Walk Portadown
Craigavon
Co Armagh BT63 5BQ
Company Registration No: NI038596
Charity Registration No: NIC 102431
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
Mr MA J Thompson Trustee
Ms K Leit Trustee
Dated: LS} s
Dated:..\3. MN: 25 7
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