2024-08-31-annual-report

Larchfield Community Development Association

Trustees’ Annual report and Statement of Receipts and Payments and Assets and Liabilities

For the year ended 31[st] August 2024

Larchfield Community Development Association

Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31[st] August 2024

Contents	Page
References and administrative details of the Charity	3
Trustees’ report	4
Receipts and payments account and Statement of assets and liabilities	7
Notes to the Accounts	9
Independent Examiner’s Report

Registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland NIC 103278

2

Larchfield Community Development Association References and administrative details

Charity Name: Larchfield Community Development Association

Charity Registration Number: NIC 103278 Contact Address: 35 Cabra Road Hillsborough Co Down BT26 6NB

Trustees

Mr Edgar Brownlie Mr Robert Brownlie Miss Patricia Halliday Mr James Halliday Mr Robert Harron Miss Valerie Harron Miss Heather Magowan Mr Brian McCallister Jnr Ms Sharon McKnight

Principal Office-bearers

Chairman: Mr Brian McCallister Jnr Vice Chairman: Mr Robert Brownlie Hon Secretary: Ms Sharon McKnight Asst Secretary: Miss Patricia Halliday Hon Treasurer: Miss Valerie Harron Asst Treasurer: Miss Patricia Halliday

Independent Examiner

Aubrey Campbell, Aubrey Campbell & Co., 631 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7GT.

Bankers

Danske Bank 62-66 Bow Street Lisburn Co Antrim BT28 1YS

Registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland NIC 103278

3

Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31[st] August 2024

The trustees present the annual report and statements of Receipts and Payments and Assets and Liabilities for Larchfield Community Development Association for the year ended 31[st] August 2024.

Objectives and Activities

The purpose of Larchfield Community Development Association is to promote the benefit of the inhabitants of Annahilt, Aughnaleck, Cabragh, Duneight, Legacurry & Magheradartin areas and their environs and those who have associations with, or roots in the locality, without distinction of age, sex, race, political or religious or other opinion. It will do so by associating with the statutory authorities, voluntary organisations and inhabitants in a common effort to advance education and to provide facilities in the interests of the social welfare, education, recreation or other leisure-time occupation with the object of improving the conditions of life for the said inhabitants. In addition, the Association aims to advance the knowledge and appreciation of a diverse range of cultures.

The promotion and advancement of our programme has been achieved throughout the year by actively engaging with our local council, voluntary organisations and the inhabitants of the area ensuring facilities are provided in the interests of social welfare, education and recreation with the emphasis on supporting and improving the lives of those living in the area and beyond.

Achievements, Performance & Public Benefit

The Association normally meets on the third Thursday of each month in Legacurry Orange Hall, Glebe Road, Hillsborough. These meetings can take the form of a formal members event led by the Chairman, discussing Association business; a speaker coming to impart information on a specific subject; a visit to a place of interest that holds some historical, educational or cultural content; or a social occasion. These meetings are open to all members and the wider community of all ages, race and religion to allow achievement of our charitable purpose.

Social welfare, education and recreation are all core to the advancement of our activities. We provide support, friendship and interaction between those who attend our activities and events and this reduces social isolation and is of benefit to all.

• September 2023 saw yet another very successful Family Fun Day, Vintage Rally and Road Runs for cars and tractors, financially supported by Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council.

• In October the speaker cancelled at the last minute however Patricia was able to lead a discussion following a recent LCCC event she and Len had attended. The highlight of the evening was a ‘boxful’ of give-aways she had collected from various stands.

• November was our charity presentation evening when Maureen O’Dowd, Practice Educator in Neonatal in the Royal Maternity Unit gave us a very informative talk on the work of the Neonatal Department. A cheque for £3,500.00 was presented to Maureen and Alison Harrison-Mitchell by the Association, being the proceeds of fundraising events during the year. Alison has raised thousands of pounds for the Unit over the last sixteen years. During November NIPANC issued an invitation to the Association for two representatives to attend their inaugural “Thank you” reception for many who had supported them financially and practically. Patricia Halliday and Len Wilson represented the Association.

• December saw the Christmas party for Association members and members of the community.

• Due to weather conditions we had to postpone our evening with the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society.

• • At the end of January we were privileged to be invited to the Mayor’s Parlour by Mayor of LCCC, Councillor Andrew Gowan who also gave us a conducted tour of the Council Chamber and associated areas.

• March was busy with a dinner in the hall for volunteers and seniors, Community Festival (Rally) planning meeting and a Big Breakfast fundraiser for the Association.

• March also saw the distribution of hampers of food and other essentials to over sixty households in the community as a result of funding again from the Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council Community Hardship Fund.

• The April meeting theme was fraud and Scams, with Edgar Brownlie and Patricia Halliday stepping in at the last minute to give a presentation and lead discussion.

• In May we had the Annual Family BBQ and the monthly meeting concentrated on planning for the Rally.

Registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland NIC 103278

4

• In June we had a very enjoyable tour round the RUC GC Memorial Gardens. Also in June Valerie Harron and Patricia Halliday attended a Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council Volunteers Week event in The Island Centre.

• The monthly walks in HRP Hillsborough Castle grounds as part of the Community Access Scheme commenced in April. Thanks to Sharon, Heather and Patricia our CAS leaders.

• The Gardening Club met in May and June planting plants and tidying the grounds.

• Planning for the 2024 Community Festival (Family Fun Day, Vintage Rally and Road Runs) continued during the summer.

• In August we visited The Argory house and grounds followed by an evening meal at Lisburn Golf Club. This once again provided a tremendous opportunity for members of the community and volunteers to come together for a relaxing social occasion.

Our thanks are expressed to Patricia Halliday who put together the various grant applications and also for the tremendous work she put into arranging most of the programme and activities.

Our thanks are also expressed to the Management Committee of Legacurry Hall for the ongoing use of their facilities.

Financial Review

We wish to thank Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council for their continued support of our activities during the year. The LCCC support is crucial to our on-going programme. In addition to the Community Support Grant we received monies under the Community Festival Fund and the Community Hardship Fund.

The balance at 31[st] Aug 2024 across both accounts was £14,548.48. £5481.12 of this is grant money yet to be spent and £190.00 is charity funds, both being carried forward into the 2024-25 year. There is £1383.82 Unrestricted funds held in Number 2 Account in case of need prior to receipt of grants.

Going Concern

The Trustees have reviewed the budgets for the year ahead and are satisfied that there are adequate funds in place to ensure that the Association can continue it’s activities and that the financial statements for the year ended 31[st] August 2024 can be signed off as a going concern.

Structure, Governance and Management

Governing Document and Constitution of the Charity

The first Constitution was adopted by members of the Association at a Special General Meeting on 16 December 2004. A revision was adopted at an EGM held on 15 June 2017. The Committee members are the Charity Trustees.

Recruitment and Appointment of Trustees

The Committee/ Trustees are elected by the Association members on an annual basis and serve to the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting. Committee meetings are held as required between Association meetings. Sub-committees and/or Officers meet as necessary to progress activities.

Pay and remuneration

The Association has no employees.

Organisational Structure

The Trustees are responsible for the day to day management of the Association following guidance from the Association members. There are nine trustees from which the Vice Chairperson, Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer are elected. The office of Chairperson is elected by the Association members and will not be held by any one person for more than three consecutive years. Other positions are appointed by the Trustees as required.

Registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland NIC 103278

5

Trustee¢ Annual Reportforthe ended 31° Au8ust 2024 (Corfd The Assoclatlon meets monthly and the T￿￿tee5 meet on various other occasions to pro8ress much of the administrative funrtion In order to keep the monthly meetln8s Interesti￿ and maximise tlme for speaker Input and fellowshlp15(Kaalisln& In 2023-24 the Trustees rnet both irpperson and on occasion5 infcrnlly. ComplIar￿ wlth B•ntfft The Association has Biven carefvl consideratlon to the Charity Commissicn fix Northem Ireland's guldance on public beneflt to ensure that the actNes entered Into durfng the year helped to achieve the As50ciatlon's d)jettives, as well as providing public benefft. The trustees are responsible foi preparlng the Trustees, Report and the statement of recelpts and payments and statement of assets and Ilabllltles In acc(xdance with applicable law and re8ulatlon& The law appllcable to charities in Northern Ireland wlth Income of less than £250.(XK) requi￿ the trustees to prepare a statement of receipts and payments and a staternent of assets and liabilities for eath financlal year. The trustees are responslble for keeplng accountln8 rec¢xds that are suffident to Sh￿ and ekplain the Assoclatlon's transactlons and dlsclose wlth rea5￿able I¢￿racY at any tlme the asset¥ and liabllities of the AssocSatlon. They are also responslble for Safeguard1￿ the assets of the Asscrlatlon and ￿nce for takln8 reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other Irwularltle& 8n•d on B•hall of th• Tn B. ftFGI),&- Brlan Mccalllster Jnr Ch•lrnwn Val•rl• Harron Hoft Tfthwur•r Zg lo