Page 1 Development Trusts (Nl) Limited Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees, Annual Report {Incorporating the Directorfs Report) Year ended 31 March 2023 The twstees. who are also the diredors for the purposes of company law. present Iheir report and the financial slatements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2023. Reference and adminislrative detslls Registered charty name Development Trusts (Nl) Limiled Charity registration number NIC102489 Company registration number N1605197 Princlpal office and registered Cathedral Quarter Managed Work Space offJGe 109-113 Royal Avenue Belfast BT1 1FF The trustees Mr S Mcclelland Ms E Murphy Ms M Patterson Mr J Meehan Mr B O'Neill Mr L O'Hagan Mr F mcA1keY Mr S Vvhelehan Mrs J McDonald Mr N Kinnaird Mr A Tough Mr E MGGoldrick {Retired 19 October 2022} (Appointed 19 October 2022) (Retired 19 October 2022) (Appornted 27 October 2022) (Appointed 19 October 2022) (Appotnted 19 October 2022) Auditor Johnston Gharn Limited Chartered accountants & statutory auditor 2161218 Holywood Road Belfast BT4 1PD
Page 2 Development Trusts (Nl) Limited Company Llmited by Guarantee Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Directorfs Report) (¢ontlnue Year ended 31 March 2023 Structure. 9overnanGe and management DTNI is in¢orporaled urKler the Companies Act 2006 as a private company lirrited by guarantee. The Board of Directors are Andy Tough (Chair). Margaret Patterson Mcmahon ITreasurer). Brian O'Neill (Secretary), John Meehan. Nigel Kinnaird. Stephen McCleNand. Liam O'Hagan, Janice MGDonakl, Eddie McGoldriGk and Fintan McAliskey. The Board meets frmally quarterly fulfilling its governance responsibilities with a particular f¢XUS on FiTrance and HR and with oversighl of the operational ser¥ices of the organisation. The board has a policy of continual review of objectives to ensure Compliance with governance and proper operation of the organisation. The Chief Executive offer oversees the organisations strategic priorities and operaiional otieclives. DTNI MPlIeS wtth ils legal and governance obligations and assess operational risks and mitigates for these lo the extent reasonably possible.
Page 3 Development Trusts (Nl) Limited Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Directorfs Report) (coftllnueo) Year ended 31 March 2023 Objectlves and activlti¢s Misslon DTNI is a membership or9anisation cornmitted to supporting the development of suslainable assel-owning communities creating shared public benefit. Vision Our vision is of a participalive democracy rnade up of vibrant self-reliant communities across Northern Ireland making a positive difference lo people's lives through owning and developing sustainable assets and resources. Values Muiuality Society, communities, and Ihe organisation a stronger when we share knowledge and skills and work together in solidarity with each other rather than compete. Accountability The organisation should be fully accountable and transparent to its members and lunders for vAiat it . does. Participative democracy Demccracy is stronger where ordinary people organise together in communty-based organisations. build their assels and resources. and actively and regularly contribute to decisions that affecl Iheir live5. Social and economic justice A fair and equitable society is a healthier and happier one. Integrity It is important to build trust between people by 8Cting lo the highest standards ot professionalism and integrity. Independence The organisation should provide an independent voice in promoting its mission and values, Priorities DTNI represents the interests of community developmenl trusts, associations and social enterprise agencies that make up the Development Trust Neork in Northern Ireland (Nl). It provides development support, advice, expertise and experience to comrnunities and the public sector to promote the sustainable community development and to advance the socially productive use of land and property assets, focussing on. Cornmunity Asset Transfer Support communities to identify opportunities. unlock strengths and resources through the ownership of communty assets. Comrnunity Wealth Building and Wellbeing Economy Support communities to be inclusive, enterprising. promote wellbeing economy and have a meaningful Voice. Influencing Decision-making To influence public policy and praclice. in partnership with members. in support of unlocking the strengths and resources in communities. to build wealth, well-being and shape decisions that affect them.
Page 4 Development Trusts (Nl) Limited Company Llmited by Guarantee Trustees, Annual Report (Incorporating the Directorfs Report) (¢ontinuedJ Year ended 31 March 2023 Knowledge leadership To be a leading learning organisation. which is a valued source of expertise that uses research and evaluation lo expand knowledge in the sector and contifiuousty improves its work. Membership To develop the rnembership of DTNI and provide effectNe support to members. Communications To effectively promote the organisalion and comrnunicate with all its stakeholders. Programme5 Prioritie5 are upheld through the defivery of programme activities including: Community Asset Transfer (CAT) - Awareness raising. advocacy for voluntary. community and social enterprise acquisition management and ownership of surplus public land and property assets. Community Weatth Building (CWB) - Awareness raising and promotion of CiNB wth a focus on stren9lhening local economic development practice. sttalegically enga9in9. and working With development trusts lo deliver the priorities for a wealth generating economy ihat addresses poverty, deprivation & marginalisation. Comrnunity Right5 - Awarene55 raising, facilitation of community dialogue and political advocacy for the inlroduction of a community rights act in Northern Ireland that considers the legislative changes needed within planning law. Civic Participation - Working in partnership with social and public stakeholders to enhance civic participation and decision making across local government to strengthen ¢ommunity VOiGe in local economic development and participative democracy.
Page 5 Development Trusts (Nl) Limited Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report> (connued) Year ended 31 March 2023 Achievements and perfomiance Established in 2010 DTNI has a modest membership of approximately 100 communty development trusts, associations, and social enterprise agencies. During the current period. we have: Maintained a board of high reputation and skill. Represenled our members interests through networf<ing learntng and sharing events, conferences. and information webinats. Represented our members interests on the acquisition. managemenl. and ownership of assels to the Nl Executive, central and local government. Advocated for an Nl capital development revenue investment fund. Supported Ihe Department for Communities lo advance its policy interest and programme objective5 for Ctjnmunity Asset Transfer and Community Weafth Building. Supported the inlerest of VCSE organisations to pursue opportunities to aGquiTe public 5ecior assels under the Nl Executive Communty Asset Transfer policy framework. Promoted and facilitated VCSE application to the Department for Levelling Up. Housing and Levelling Up programme funds. Promoted the interest of VCSE organisations to draw frorn a UK Communty Ownership Fund. Represented the interests of members through participation on the Nl Joint Forum. Represented the interests of members across the UK through joint work with the Development Trust Association networks in England. Scotland. and Wales. Represented the interests of members globally through our membership of the International Federation of Societies and in Europe through our work with the European Federation of Societies. Developed the policy agenda in support of conynunty ownership. community rights and local econorny. Worked continuously to improve our reputation and to grow our membership. For the reporting period 12022-23) DTNI employed a Chief Executive Officer, hvo Senior Programme Coordinators, an Administration and Communications Officer and a Di9ilal Innovation Offir. DTNI employees oversee the delivery of contracl objectives in support of Community Asset Transfer (CAT) and Communty Wealth Building (CWB) for the Departmenl for Communities {DfC) and Community Rights and CWB (local Government) supported by Joseph Rownlree Clraritable Trust and the Rank Foundation programme 'Start Here,. We concluded work on local ewnomy earty in the financial year for Friends Provident and on Civic Participation supported by the Community Foundation for Northem Ireland. We tendered for and succes5fulty delNered the Support Network for Social Entrepreneurs (SUNSE Interreg NW Europe) for Lisbum & Castlereagh Cty Council. We Continued to provide development support lo voluntary. community organisations from across Nl with an interest in acquiring and managing and developing an asset base including promotion of ils
Pagt 6 Development Trusts (Nl) Limited Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees, Annual Report (Incorporating the Directorfs Report) (¢onllnueo) Year ended 31 March 2023 position within the internal 'public sectorf rnark and advanced its inlefest in Ihe ownership and management of surplus public assets. We engaged extensively with our sister nelw<Yks in the UK to prepare a tender proposal to the Community Ownership Fund. We learned late in the financial year Ihat our tender was successful and DTNI would be the lead development support provKfer in N( from 2023125. For several years we have been the lead'advocate for the econornic development functions of our members and their collective contribution to the ewn¢)mic affairs of Nl. In the year 2022123 we concluded our contract with the Departmenl for Communities {DfC) on Cornmunty Weallh Building. We had engaged extensively with the VCSE sector and working with Queens Cornrnunities & Place programme at Queens University Bewast we prepared five key publications on ¢¢mmunity weamh building (see below) and an executive summary "Next Ste s in Communi Weafth Buildi We also worf(ed as the secretariat for the Dfc independent Mintsterial Advisory Panel on Cornmunty Wealth Buildin9. The panel presented its report, 'Recommendations to advance communi wealth buildin in Northern Ire12nd' to the Minister at Dfc. 1. Asset Based Development and Community Wealth Building 2. Making Financial Power Ilvork for Local Places 3. Just Labour Markets & Incl(L8ive Work 4. The Plural Economy. Social Economics and Building Comrnunities 5. Progressive Pro¢uremenl of Goods & SeNices The POrtS on CW8 represent a si9n5f8nt development inteNention on behalf of the family of communty development trusts. This WO aligns purposefully wtlh the Departrnenl for Communities, strategic plan 2020-25. 'Building Inclusive Communities.. Referenced within the cross<utting theme 'sustainability & inclusive growth. is the departments comrnitment to: 'Graw and scale communty wealth building to support econcmic recovery.. We picked up <)n the new opportunities presented through the Depwtrnent for Levelling Up. Housing & Communities and provided support for members applying to Ihe Levelling Up and Communty Ownership Funds through Westminster. We continued to make representation to central government foi a dedicated capital fund for the VCSE sector in Nl. That campargn remains ongoing. DNTI have led Ihe public debate on the need for reforrn of local economic development pra¢ti¢e in Nl. We continued to work with our partne[5 in the family of UK development twsts and the Centre for Local Economic Strategies. The organisation continued (and diversified) its work in support of a Communty Rights Act in Nl supported ty investment from Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust. In addition, we have continued lo deliver on the investment from the Rank Foundation through the 'Start Here. programme with which we have been able to larget and re¢rubt new enlrants to the work of the voluntary. communty and social enterprise sector. We have continued to explore and avail of opporttjnities to trade on the professional expertise held by the staff team at DTNI includin9 tendering to test the Community Transfer policy frameworf< of Belfast City Council. We conlirnued to represent the interests of mernbers through our participats'on on the Joint Forurn shaping the new agement for joint working between Ihe voluntary and communty sector ard the public sector. We are thankful for the reGognition from our independent InVestS and the faith they have shown in the work of Ihe Qrganisation. Heading into 2023, we committed to delivery of following work piiorities.
Pago 7 Development Trusts {Nl) Limited Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees, Annual Report (Incorporating the Directorfs Reportl (contlnu Year ended 31 March 2023 FiTrancial review The company reIed a surplus for the financial year to 31 March 2023 of £60.781 (2022 - £91,603) resulting in a totsl reserve balance of £324.986 (2022 - £264,205). The company has a reserves policy in place which seeks to eslablish free reserves equivalent to a minimum of 6 months of CUrrent overhead expendilure. Plans for future periods Heading into 2023. we committed to delivery of folloviing vffjrk priorities. Working with Central Governrnenl: Ensure that DTNI has an enhard role as a regional infrastructure organisation delivering on community ownership, on community rights and on Ihe 5 pillar5 of community weakh building (Assets. Plural Econorny. Financial Power. Fair Empbyment and Progressive Procuremenl). PrTrJress our developrnent support to alwn with the emerging policy & programme priorities of Ihe Regional Infrastruciure Support Programme and People & Place. Ensure the work of DTNI is recognised as central to the delivery of Dfc's strategic plan 2020125. 'Building Inclusive Cornmunities.. Working with UK Partners Engage wilh Lo¢ality, DTAS & DTAW and UK support partners to ensure that VCSE organisations are actively supported to advan their InteSt in the Department for Levelling-up. Housing & Communilie5. Community Ownership Fund. Provide development support to assist organisath)ns in the preparation of business case for submission to the Community Ownership Fund. Lobby fc* an Nl cmUnIty Ownership Fund (capiial and revenue) for VCSE rxganisations. Working with Independent Trusts & Foundations Engage with local government to explore common interests around wealth buikling, locaj economy, and communty rights. Engage rnembers to ensure their development issues and support needs are accurately captured and presented to local and central government and other relevant stakeholders. Oevetop a new digital civic participation engagement platfonn for members of DTNI. Additionally. we agreed to: Devdop new support programme5 With the UK Development Tw5t Netwofks." Buikrf the Developrnent Trust NeOrk in Nl. Share our Llevelopment model with Civic organisations in the Republic of Ireland." Lobby for an Nl Communty Rights and Empowerment Act. Represent member interests on the Joint Forum. Advocate for policy & programme support on Mmunity led hwsing.
Page 8 Development Trusts (Nl) Limited Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees, Annual Report {Incorporating the Directorfs Report) (contlnuad) Year ended 31 March 2023 Trnstees. responsibilitles statement The trustees, who are also directors for the purposes of company law, are responsible for preparing the trustees. report and the financial ststemenls in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdorn Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). Company law requi5 the charity trusiee5 to prepare financial statements for each year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable cornpany and the incoming resources and application of sourCes. including the income and expenditure, for Ihat period. In preparing these financial statements. the trustees are required to: select suitable accounting policies and then apply them conststently: obsepie the methods and principles in the applicable Charities SORP: make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and pwdent., prepare Ihe financial statements on the going concern basis unless rt is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
Page 9 Development Trusts (Nl) Limited Compar)y Llmited by Guarantee Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Directoes Report) (coftdrt Year ended 31 March 2023 The Irustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records thal are sufficiernt to show and explain the charily's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Gharity and enable Ihem to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 20CE. They are also responsible for safeguarding ihe assels of the charity and hence for iaking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Auditor Each of Ihe persons who is a Injstee at the date of approval of this report confimis that: so far as they are aware. there is no relevant audit information of whkh the ¢hariVs 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 infoTmation and to estabSish thal the Gharivs audblor is aware of that infomiation. The auditor is deemed to have been re-appointed in accordance wilh section 487 of the Companies Act 2006. Small company provisions This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies entitled to the small companies exemption. The trustees, annual report was appn)ved on 9 Oclober 2023 and Signed on behalf of the board of tnjstees by. Mr B O'Neill Tfustee