2024-03-31-annual-report

HMRC Charity Registration No. XT34362 NI Charity Commission Registration No. 102779

St Eugene’s Brass and Reed Band

Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2024

St Eugene’s Brass and Reed Band

Trustees

Patrick O’Kane Hazel Richards Michael Reynolds Bill Dunne John Boyle Ron Moore

Independent Examiner

Aaron Coyle ACA Tyrone Accountancy Services Ltd 8/10 Church Street Omagh Co. Tyrone BT78 1DG

Bankers

AIB (NI) 2-4 East Bridge Street Enniskillen Co. Fermanagh BT74 7BT

Place of Business

Old Culmore School Tamlaght Road Omagh Co. Tyrone

St Eugene’s Brass and Reed Band Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2024

We, the Trustees of St Eugene’s Brass and Reed Band, present our report below. The report is followed by the Report of the Independent Examiner, a Balance Sheet, and the Financial Statements for 2023-24.

Structure, Governance and Management

St Eugene’s Brass and Reed Band is a Northern Ireland based charity and is registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland. The registration number is 102779. The charity is also registered with HM Revenue and Customs for the purpose of claiming Gift Aid on eligible donations. The HMRC Charities Reference is XT34362.

The principal place of business for the charity is Old Culmore School, Tamlaght Road, Omagh.

The charity was established under a Constitution which details its objects and powers. The charity is managed by a Committee which is elected each year by the members at the Annual General Meeting. The Committee consists of a Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, and not less than three, or not more than five other members. No position on the Committee may be held by any one person for more than three consecutive years, except in exceptional circumstances by agreement of a majority of the members in attendance at the Annual General Meeting.

Objectives and Activities

Charitable Purposes

The purpose of St Eugene’s Brass and Reed Band is to advance an awareness, understanding and appreciation of music for all those interested within the local community by:

• a. Creating opportunities for actual participation within the Band in the playing of a musical instrument;

• b. Offering those who are interested in becoming playing members the opportunity to learn a musical instrument through participation in learner classes, where these can be shown to be viable;

• c. Undertaking concerts, recitals, performances and other forms of musical entertainment for the benefit of charities, local community organisations, churches, public bodies and the general public.

How the Charity works

The Band rehearses on a weekly basis, meeting regularly in its Band Hall on Monday evenings throughout the year;

We maintain a close relationship with Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, and undertake public performances at many community events;

We explore opportunities for engaging with local schools, with a view to recruiting young members;

We respond to invitations from local churches to provide musical accompaniment for church services, particularly during the Christmas season, and entertainment for special events;

We aim to promote the wellbeing of patients in local care homes by offering forms of musical entertainment in accordance with their interests and preferences.

Public Benefit Statement

The Band’s beneficiaries are its playing members and the general public in Northern Ireland (and occasionally further afield).

The benefits which flow from the Band’s activities include the experience of enjoyment and wellbeing through participation either as audience members or performers in its musical engagements and activities. The quality and impact of many public events is enhanced by the Band’s involvement and participation.

The Band is open to everyone in the community irrespective of religious affiliation. It is held in high esteem throughout the local community, and through its various activities it makes an invaluable contribution to the promotion of positive cross-community relations.

There is no history of harm throughout the Band’s 130 plus year history. Rigorous measures are in place to avoid any possibility of harm through strict adherence to our Child Protection Policy, our Health and Safety Policy and our Code of Conduct for all members. We also have in place Public Liability Insurance.

Taxation Status

As a registered charity the Band has claimed exemption from tax liability.

Achievements and Performance

In pursuance of our objectives and charitable purposes, the Band carried out the following engagements during the period 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024:

‘Scone on the Lawn’ St Columba’s Church Fair 20 May Tribute Concert for Brian Turbett, former Musical Director 22 June Gibson Primary School Summer Fair 27 June Omagh and Fermanagh DC’s ‘Teddy Bear’s Picnic’, Grange Park 29 July Memorial Service for 25[th] Anniversary of the Omagh Bomb 13 August Funeral Service for deceased Band member, Sacred Heart Church 5 September Annual Gala Concert, St Joseph’s Hall 26 October Switching on of Christmas Lights, Omagh High Street 25 November Christmas Fair, St Ciaran’s High School, Ballygawley 30 November Christmas Festival, Ulster American Folk Park 10 December Christmas Recital, Three Rivers Nursing Home 11 December Christmas Concert, Omagh Library 12 December Carol Service, St Columba’s Church of Ireland 17 December Carol Service, Sacred Heart Church 17 December Carol Service, Clogherney Presbyterian Church 17 December Christmas Recital, Dunne’s Supermarket 23 December Christmas Morning Services, Sacred Heart and First Omagh Presbyterian 25 December St Patrick’s Day Festival 17 March

Financial Review

The Trustees are satisfied that the Charity is in a strong financial position. We are confident that its reserves are of a sufficient level to be able continue the activities of the Charity and to serve its beneficiaries for many years to come.

While financial reserves are retained to protect the Charity against drops in income, the unrestricted reserves are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the Charity.

During the year it was necessary to replace the central heating boiler in the Band Hall, at a cost of £3,298. 75% of this cost was covered by a grant from Fermanagh and Omagh District Council.

At 31 March 2024 the balance in the Band’s bank account was £24,918.23, an increase of £8,071.20 on the previous year.

NOTE: Whereas the accounts for 2023-24 have been completed on a Receipts and Payments basis, the accounts for 2022-23 were completed on an Accruals basis. Accordingly, portions of the following items recorded in the Balance Sheet for 2023-24 were already accrued in

the accounts for 2022-23: Accountancy Fees Heating Oil *Council Grant (Renovations)

Independent Examiner

Tyrone Accountancy Services Ltd has been appointed to carry out the functions of Independent Examiner.

Trustees

The Trustees of the organisation during the period to which this report relates were: Patrick O’Kane

Hazel Richards Michael Reynolds Bill Dunne John Boyle Ron Moore

Subsequently, at the Annual General Meeting on Monday 13 May 2024 it was noted that John Boyle had ceased to be a member of the Band. Accordingly it was agreed that his name be removed from the list of Trustees, and that Arthur Rainey be appointed as a Trustee in his place.

Statement of Trustee’s Responsibilities

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are required to:

• select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently

• make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent

• prepare the financial statements of a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the organisation will continue in business.

Taking account of the guidance issued by the Charities Commission for Northern Ireland, it has been decided that the financial statements should be prepared on a receipts and payments basis.

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose, with reasonable accuracy at any time, the financial position of the organisation and that enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the requirements of the Regulator for Charities in Northern Ireland. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the organisation and hence taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Statement of Trustees’ Confirmations

In the case of each of the persons who are Trustees at the time when the report is approved, the following applies:

• a. so far as each Trustee is aware, there is no relevant information of which the charity’s Independent Examiner is unaware; and

• b. each Trustee has taken all the steps that he or she ought to have taken as a Trustee in order to make himself or herself aware of any relevant information and to establish that the organisation’s Independent Examiner is aware of the situation.

Patrick O’Kane Arthur Rainey Chairperson Treasurer

13 January 2025

make judgements and estimates that are reasonable ènd prudent prepare the financial statements of a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the organisation will continue in business. Taking account of the Buidance issued by the Charities Commission for Northern Ireland. it has been decided that the financial statements should be prepared on a receipts and payments basis. The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose, with reasonable accuracy at any time, the financial p05ition of the or8anisation and that enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the requirements of the Regulator for Charities in Northern Ireland. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the organisation and hence taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Statement of Trustee< Confimiatlons In the case of each of the persons who are Trustees at the time when the report is approved. the following applies= so far as each Trustee is aware, there is no relevant information of which the charitvs Independent Examiner is unaware- and each Trustee has taken all the steps that he or she ou8ht to have taken as a Trustee In order to make himself or herself aware of any relevant information and to establish that the organisation's Independent Examiner is aware of the ￿tuatiOn. Patrick O'K Chai rson Arthur Rainey Treasurer