REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: N1035799 (Northern Ireland) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: NIC 103339 ort of the Trustees and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 Mar¢h 2024 for Blackie River Communi Grou Acom Limited b Guarantee an Lynn Drake & Co Ltd Statutory Auditors 1st Floor 34 B-D Main Street Moira Co. Armagh BT67 OLE Blackie River Cornmuni Grou Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 Mareh 2024 Page Reference and Administrative Details Report of the Trustees Report of the Independent Auditors Statement of Financial Activities 12 Statement of Financial Position 13 Statement of Cash Flows 14 Notes to the Statement of Casb Flows 15 Notes to the Financial Statements 16 to 29 Detailed Statement of Financial Activities 30 to 31 Blackie River Communi Grou Reference and Administrative Details for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 TRUSTEES Raymond Lavery Francis Hainilton (resigned 91112024) Francis Mccann Sean Quinn Damien Austin (appointed 231112024) COMPANY SECRETARY Claire Canavan REGISTERED OFFICE 43 Beechmount Pass Belfast Co. Antrim BT12 7NW REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER N1035799 (Northern Ireland) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER NIC 103339 AUDITORS Lynn Drake & Co Ltd Statutory Auditors I st Floor 34 B-D Main Street Moira Co. Armagh BT67 OLE CHIEF EXEC OFFICERS Mr Claran Beattie BANKERS First Trust Bank University Road Branch 35 University Road Belfast BT7 IND Blackie River Communi Grou ort of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Compantes Act 2006, present their report with the finaiicial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Stateinent 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 l Janiiary 2019). OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Objectives and aims Blackie River Coinmunity Groups is a regist¢r¢d charity which seeks to empower the residents of the Blackie River by facilitating and developing community developinent activity which enables thein to celebrate their creativity and culture, develop their skills, enhance their self-est¢¢m, play a full and equal role in society, and secure the social and economic regeneration of their area. Significant activities The Blackie River Community Groups aiins: To promote the benefit of tlie inhabitaiits of tlie Blackie River area and the environs of the Greater Belfast area (Iiereinafter described as the 'area of benefit") witliout distinction of age, gender, race, political, religioLiS or other opinion, by associatioii statutory authorities, voluiitary organisations and inhabitaiits in a coinmon effort to advance education, relieve poverty and to provide facilities in the iiiterest of social welfare for recreation and leisure time occupation, with the object of improving the conditions of life for the said inhabitants. To promote cooperation between local community groups with the object of improving the conditions of life for the inhabitants in the area of benefit. To proinote and coordinate community development by enhaiicing the local social infrastructure througli.. support. training and resource provision. Blackie River Communi Grou ort of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Public benefit Purpose A The direct beiiefit which flows froin purpose A includes improved educatioii outcoines reduction in poverty, and to provide faci lities in the iiiterest of social welfare for recreation and leisure time occupation, with the object of iinproviiig tlie conditions of life of resideiits within Blackie River Area (Beechiiiount ward) and the wider Greater Belfast area. These bei)efits are evidenced through our progranimes, initiatives and services being monitoring and evaluated by all participants. The purpose of the charity may lead to the following harm of personal injury through some of our educational programmes, daycare provision and health programme but we can deinonstrate that this harm is greatly reduced thorougli our risk manageinent policy and procedures and tlie benefits to the service users outweigh any of the risks. The charities beneficiaries are the inhabitaiits of the Beechmount ward, Greater Falls area and the environs of the Greater Belfast Area. The only private benefit flowing from tlie purpose is the skilling up of staff and the salary which they receive and tliis is incideiital and necessary to run an organisation which operates to the childcare standards, education skills authority, funding requirements. Purpose B The direct benefit which flows from purpose B includes promoting cooperation between local community groups with the object of improviiig the conditions of life for the inhabitants in the area of benefit These benefits are evidenced through engagement with local residents through surveys, canvasses and qiiestionnaires. It is further evidenced tlirough the participation on local and regional forums and paitiierships. Tlie purpose of the charity may lead to the following harm of misrepreseiiting an individual but was can evidence that all the information whicli we discuss in forums comes from analysiiig the data whicli we l)ave collected. Tlie charities beneficiaries are the inhabitants of the Beechmount ward, Greater Falls area and tlie environs of the Greater Belfast Area. The only private benefit flowing from tlie purpose is the skilling up of staff and the salary which they receive and this is incidental and necessary to run an organisation which operates to the childcare standards, education skills authority, funding requirements. Purpose C The direct beiiefit which flows froin purpose B includes promoting and coordinate community developinent by eiihaiiciiig tlie local social infrastructure through.. support, training and resource provision. These benefits are evidenced through engagement with local residents through surveys, canvasses and questionnaires. The purpose of the charity may lead to the following harm of misrepresenting an individual but was can evidence that all the inforination which we discuss in forums comes from analysing the data which we Iiave collected. Th¢ Charities beneficiaries are the inhabitants of the Beechmount ward, Greater Falls area and the environs of the Great¢r Belfast Area. The only private benefit flowiiig from the piirpose is the skilling up of staff and the salary whicli they receive and this is incidental and necessary to run an organisation which operates to the childcarc standards, education skills authority, funding requirements. Blackie River Community Group works with local residents to ensure that quality and conditions of housing within the local area are up to standard. In the past we successfully lobbied for new housing as there was a substantial amount of houses with outside toilets and environmental issues. We successful got the area vested and new 21st century housing built. We run a variety of educational classes which both upskills people and also combat social isolation. We liave successful run a level 5 Childcare rnanagement course which means that there are now 14 local people wlio can iiow manage a day-care setting. Blackie River Communi Grou Re ort of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 STRATEGIC REPORT Achievement and performance Charitable activities Our charity found itself again like many others in difficult financial times this year due to tlie current Cost of Living Crisis rising energy costs and increase in salaries due to minimum wage increases. W¢ have been applying for external funding to alleviate financial pressures in which we were eventually successful in receiving £20k from Council to help with runniiig costs. While the charity has not yet undertaken any public fundraising initiatives, we have been successful in s¢¢king and receiving grant fuiiding amounting to £1,081,855 for this year eliding March 2024. The breakdown of restricted grants funding can be seen on Note 3 of the accounts. The funding received assisted the charity in continuing with our aims aiid objectives, offering vital services in our Coinmunity such as.. providing first class affordable child care, supporting child development. providiiig support to children with additional needs, promoting Coinmunity led education through lifelong learniiig, providing cultural and arts programmes, working on tlie regeneration of the area and working with our cominunity partiiers in the Greater Falls Neighbourhood Partnership Area. Reserves Policy The charity's policy is to retain a level of frec reserves, which matches the needs of the organisation both at the current time and in the foreseeable future. The charity has developed a plan to establish and maintain this agreed level of free reserves. The charity will continue to monitor compliance with this policy on a regular basis and the Board will review the appropriateness of the policy annually. Financial review Tlie company had net outgoing resources for the year of £105,613 (2023.. net outgoing resources of £54,017), which reflected the completion of a nuinber of projects during the year. Unrestricted funds decreased by £85,313, wliile restricted funds decreased by £20,300. Blackie River Communi Grou ort of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 STRATEGIC REPORT Future plans The biggest challenge for us is going to be sustaining ourselves through this current cost of living crisis, inflationary and energy increases. Tlie strategic priority will be sustainability. We aim to continue to improve our business / finance model and coinmunity development outcoines, to continue to develop a strong board aiid to inspire and professionalism to our staff. In terms of sustainability we have: a) Secured tlie tliird tender and extension for the West Belfast Health & Wellbeing Programme. b) Sought funding for an extension. c) Secured planning permission for our car park and are in the process of Vesting the land and securing fuiiding to renovate it. d) Working with local asset holders to secure the tenure of additional infrastructure tliat will enable the organisation to expand our services. e) We aim to continue to provide first class services to the D community in tlie fields of cliild-care, education, art and culture, health, youth and older services and have secured the status of Centre of excellence. For the strategic priority of infrastructure.. We aim to improve the service available in the Beechmount area by lobbyiiig for the improved facilities. a) Examples of this are- The development of St James Farin, The contained lobbying for. tlie Beeclimount Triaiigle sitc, the car park and the extension to the Blackie River Community Group. b) Extra provision of alley gates. c) Working with the Davitts GAC to provide indoor sports provision. d) Assisting Willowbaiik FC with a new 3G pitch. e) Establisliment of a Social Supermarket, delivering food vouchers and wraparound support to 270 families. fj Sourcing additional floor space for expansion of our charity. STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governing document The cliarity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006. Governance of the Charity During the period under review the directors met bi-monthly. Trusteesldirectors are appointed by nomiiiations made in writing by any existing director. At the General Meeting nominated directors are appointed by election. Blaekie River Communi Groll Re ort of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Risk management The priiiciples of good governance are embedded within all aspects of Blackie River Conimunity Group Limited operations with management and staff being keenly aware of the Boards responsibility of ensuring that the organisation protects itself from financial exposure and reputational dainage, A close working relatioiiship is maintained between the Board and Inanagement to ensure that operationally staff are aware of the standards required of them by the Board and the Board are always in a position to provide guidance and support to Inanagement iii the discharge of their duties. This two way relatioiiship is the key feature of Blackie River Community Group Limited governance arrangements and is a key strength in the company. A coiiscientious approach to ensuring that contractual project requirements are achieved has been maintained at all tiines both in the accounting period being reported on and since Blackie River Community Group Limited establisliineiit. Very tight financial controls on expenditure and all financial cominitments are maintained at all times and project staff have been trained and have become experienced in budgetary controls.ln both these areas ie Project delivery and financial controls inanagement all staff have established close working relationships witli funding organisations to ensure all mandatory standards are consistently achieved. Board representatives also actively engage with funding bodies. The Board. management and staff are fully aware that the nature of the work in which Blackie River Community Group Liinited is involved can bring with it a high level of scrutiny to ensure that all activities are fully compliaiit with funding requirements and,therefore, beyond reproach.The Board of Blackie River Community Group Liinited is, therefore, greatly reassured of the company's compliance with the highest of standards of governance on the basis that all monitoring and evaluation of project delivery demonstrates achieveinent of all funders objectives and that funders, audits and vouching of financial expenditure and the statutory audit confirni coinpliance with both probity and regularity in tlie use of monies received. EVENTS SIIYCE THE END OF THE YEAR Information relating to events since th¢ end of the year is given in the notes to the financial statements. STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES, RESPONSIBILITIES The trustees (who are also the directors of Blackie River Community Groups for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing tlie Report of the Trustees and the fiiiancial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Acc¢pt¢d Accounting Practice) including Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland Company law requires the triistces to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the iiicome and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing those financial statements. the trustees are required to select suitable accounting pol icies and then apply theIn consistently- observe the methods and principles in the Charity SORP- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the flnancial statements. prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business. Blackie River Communi Grou ort of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES, RESPONSIBILITIES- continued The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and to enable them to ensure that the financial stateinents comply with the Cornpanies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable coinpany and hence for taking reasonable steps for tlie prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. In so far as the trustees are aware- there is no relevant audit information of which the charitable company's auditors arc unaware- and the trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make theinselves aware of aiiy relevaiit audit iiiformation and to establish that the auditors are aware of that information. AUDITORS The auditors, Lynn Drake & Co Ltd, will be proposed for re-appointment at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting. Report of tlie trustees, incorporating a strategic report, approved by order of the board of trustees, as the company directois, on l October 2024 and signed on tlie board's behalf by.. Sean Quinn - Trustee ort of the Inde endent Auditors to the Members of Blackie River Communi Grou Opinion We liave audited the financial statements of Blackie River Community Groups (the 'charitable company,) for the year ended 31 March 2024 which coinprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Statement of Financial Position, the Statement of Cash Flows and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), including Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland,. In our opiiiion the financial statements.. give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company's affairs as at 31 Marcli 2024 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Repiiblic of Ireland,; and have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. Basis for opinion We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAS (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are furtlier described in the Auditors, responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial stateinents in the UK. including the FRC'S Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. Conclusions relating to going concern In auditing tlie financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees, use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate. Based on th¢ work we have performed, we have not identified any Inaterial uncertainties relating to events or conditioiis that. individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charitabl¢ company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve rnonths from when the financial statements are autlioris¢d for issue. Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report. Other information The trustees are responsible for the other information. The other iiiformation comprises the information included in the Aiinual Report, other than the financial statements and our Report of th¢ Independent Auditors thereon. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any forin of assurance conclusioii thereon. In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the otlier information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtalned in the audit or otherwise appears to be inaterially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have perforined, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard. Re ort of the Inde endent Auditors to the Members of Blackie River Communi Grou Opinions on other matters prescribed by the CompanRes Act 2006 In our opinioii. based on the work undertaken in the Course of the audit: the information given in the Report of the Trustees for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements. and the Report of the Trustees has been prepared in accordance witli applicable legal requirements. Matters on which we are required to report by exception In the liglit of the knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we liave not identified material misstatements in the Report of the Trustees. We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion: adequate accounting records have not been kept or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches nol visited by us- or the finaiicial stateinents are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or certain disclosures of trustees, remuneration specified by law are not made. or we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit. Responsibilities of trustees As explaiiied more fully in the Statement of Trustees, Responsibilities, the trustees (who are also the directors of tlie cliaritable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to ¢nable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. Iii preparing the fiiiancial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charitable coinpany's abi lity to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going coiicern aiid using tli¢ going concern basis of ac¢ouiiting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so. Re ort of the Inde endent Auditors to the Members of Blackie River Communi Grou Our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements Oiir objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whetlier diie to fraud or error, and to issue a Report of the Iiidependent Auditors that includes our opinioii. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted iii accordance with ISAS (UK) will always detect a Inaterial tnisstateinent wheii it exists. Misstateinents can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, tliey could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these fiiiaiicial stateineiits. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below.. Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line witli our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect 171aterial misstatenients in respect of irregularities, includiiig fraud. In particular, we looked at where Inanagement made subjective judgeinents, for exainple iii respect of accounting estimates that involved making assumptions and considering future eveiits that are inlierently uncertain. We also considered potential financial or other pressLires, opportunity and motivations for fraud. As part of this discussion, we identified the internal controls established to mitigate risks related to fraud or non-complianc¢ with laws and regulations and how manag¢inent monitor these processes. Appropriate procedures included the review and testing of manual journals and key estimates and judgeinents Inade by Inanagement for risk of fraud. Based on our under4taiiding of the company and industry, we identified the principal risks of non-compliance with laws and regulations as those that have a direct impact on the deterinination of material amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. We evaluated Inanageinent's incentives and opportunities for fraudulent Inanipulation of the financial statements and identified the greatest potential for fraud. We communicated the identified laws and regulations throughout the audit team and remained alert to any indications of non-compliance throughout the audit. Audit procedures performed included, but were not limited to.. Discussions with inanageinent incliiding consideration of known or suspected instances of non-compliance with laws and regulation and fraud- Reviewing the financial statement disclosures and testing to supporting docuinentation. Rcview of board meeting minutes of those charged with governance. In addressing the risk of fraud through management override of controls, testing the appropriateness of journal entries and other adjustmeiits. As part of an audit in accordance with ISAS (UK), we exercise professional judgment and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also-_ Identify and assess the risks of material misstat¢ment of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. desigii aiid perforin audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient aiid appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. Th¢ risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, Inisrepresentations, or the override of internal control. Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for tlie purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the charities interiial control. 10 ort ofthe Inde endent Auditors to the Members of Blackie River Communi Grou Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by the trustees. Perform analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships that may indicate risks of material misstateinent due to fraud or error. Conclude on the appropriateness of the trustees, use of the going concern basis of accounting and based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubl on the charities ability to continue as a going ¢oiicern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditor's report to the related disclosures in tlie financial sÉatemeiits or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to tlie date of our auditor's report. However, future events or conditions may Cause the charity to cease to continue as a going concern. Evaluate the overall presentation, structure, and content of the financial statements, including the disclosures and whether the financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation. We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among otlier Inatters, the planned scope and timing of tlie audit and significant audit findings, including significant deficieiicies in internal control that we ideiitify during our audit. A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at www.frc.org.uklauditorsresponsTbilities. This description forms part of our Report of the Independent Auditors. Use of our report This report is Inade solely to the charitable company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Pai't 16 of tlie Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company's Inembers those matters we are required to state to them in an auditors, report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent pemiitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the cliaritable company and the cliaritable company's members as a body, for our audit work, for this rep or for the opinions we have formed. Billy Dra for and oli beha Statutory Auditor I st Floor 34 B-D Main Street Moira Co. Armagh BT67 OLE nior Statutory Auditor) of Lynn Drake & Co Ltd l October 2024 Blackie River Communi Grou Statement of Financial Activities Incor oratin an Income and Ex for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 enditure Account 31.3.24 Total funds 31.3.23 Total funds Unrestricted Restricted fund funds Notes INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Charitable activities Grants Receivable 1,081,855 1,081,855 1,015,759 Other trading activities 469,440 469,440 430,468 Total 469,440 ,081,855 ,551,295 1,446,227 EXPENDITURE ON Charitable activities Direct Charitable Expenditure Governance 525,203 29,550 1,102,155 1,627,358 29,550 1,475,641 24,603 Total 554,753 1,102,155 1,656,908 1,500,244 NET INCOMEI(EXPENDITURE) (85,313) (20,300) (105,613) (54,017) RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 286,190 84,816 371,006 425,023 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 200,877 64,516 265,393 371,006 The notes form part of these financial statements 12 Blackie River Communi Grou Statement of Financial Position 31 Mareh 2024 31.3.24 31.3.23 Notes FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets 10 66,885 84,655 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors Cash at bank 174,115 56,128 100,154 213,370 230,243 313,524 CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year 12 (31,735) (27,173) NET CURRENT ASSETS 198,508 286,351 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 265,393 371,006 NET ASSETS 265,393 371,006 FUNDS Uiii-estricted funds Restricted fuiids 14 200,877 64,516 286,190 84,816 TOTAL FUNDS 265,393 371,006 The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on l October 2024 and were signed on its behalf by: Se