Ballinderry Rivers Trust Trustees, Report FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 i*. Surveying for fteshwater pearl musg on the Batlindetw Rivei at Wellbrook R￿Istered with thecharity Commigxion for Northern Irelond NIC103694 Compony number N1605894- Patron: Jo• Mahon BALLINDERRY RIVERS TRUST IA Compony Limited by Guarantee. not having o shore capital) Registered Chority number.. NIC103694 HMRC Chorities number: XT318 Ballinderry Rivers Trust Registered number: Nl 6058941Northern Ireland) Trustees, report For the period ended 31st March 2024 Ballinderry Rivers Trust freshwater life REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISORS _FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024_ .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 6 TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024............................................................................................................ 8 BALLINDERRY RIVERS TRUST IA Compony Limited by Guarantee. not having o shore capital) Purpose, Public Benefit, Aims and Obiectives......................................................................................................................................10 a. Purpose.........................................................................................................................................................................................................10 Environmental protection and improvement....................................................................................................................................10 Education..........................................................................................................................................................................................................10 b. Public Benefit statement........................................................................................................................................................................11 Environmental protection and improvement......................................................................................................................................11 Education............................................................................................................................................................................................................11 Assessment of Harm arising from the Trust's Purpose....................................................................................................................11 Assessment of Direct Private Benefit arising from the Trust's Purpose..................................................................................12 c. Aims..................................................................................................................................................................................................................12 d. Objectives for achieving wider public benefit.............................................................................................................................13 Trustees Report on Activities in the year to March 2024..................................................................................................................14 a. Core activities.............................................................................................................................................................................................14 Supporting and Helping the Development of Local River Interest Groups.........................................................................14 Mentoring Young People ond Life-long Leorners............................................................................................................................la Learning and Outre(3ch for young people and life-long lecJrners...........................................................................................14 Curriculum-based and extracurricular primary Gnd post-primary eclucation..................................................................15 Public educcjtion and outreach...............................................................................................................................................................16 Rivers and Fisheries Internships................................................................................................................................................................16 Volunteering Opportunities........................................................................................................................................................................17 b. Project Activities.........................................................................................................................................................................................18 ResiRiver2030.. Towards Nature Recovery and Climate Resilience in the Bollinderry River catchment by 203018 c. Giant making policies.............................................................................................................................................................................25 Achievements and perfoimance................................................................................................................................................................25 a. Going Concern..........................................................................................................................................................................................25 b. Review of octivities..................................................................................................................................................................................25 Core activities.................................................................................................................................................................................................25 Project activities.............................................................................................................................................................................................26 c. Investment policy and performance................................................................................................................................................28 Financial review . .29 a. Reserves policy.......... b. Principal funding.. Income........ . .29 ..30 ..30 Expenditure.. .. .. . Balance sheet..... .. . ..30 ..30 Ballinderry Rivers Trust freshwater life REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE MEMBERS OF BALLINDERRY RIVERS TRUST .......................................... 35 Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 ............................................................................................ 39 Balance Sheet 31 March 2024............................................................................................................................................................... 40 Cash Flow Statement for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 ............................................................................................................... 41 Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 ........................................................................................ 42 Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 ............................................................................ 50 Analysis of Movements Between Funds for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 .............................................................................. 51 Schedule of Resources Expended for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 ......................................................................................... 52 BALLINDERRY RIVERS TRUST IA Compony Limited by Guarantee. not having o shore capital) REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISORS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 37 MARCH 2024 Company/Charlty reglstered name Ballinderry Rivers Trust Company Reglstered Number N1605894 Charity Reglstratlon Number NIC103694 Her MaJ•sty's Rev•nu• and Customs Charltles numb•r XT318 R•glst•r•d offlc• 2130 Orritor Road, Cookstown, County Tyrone, BT80 9NB Northern Ireland Trustees as of March 2024 Mr S Aspinall Ms P Campbell Mr ll Cassidy MBE Hrs L Fawthrop Mr D Ferguson Hr R Graham Mrs S Graham Miss V Groham Dr P Mac Cana Mr S Moc Nia Mr M Mellon Dr R Mellon Treasurer Chairperson Vice-chairperson Secretary Other Trusteès In th• yèar to March 2024 None Patron Mr J Nahon Patron Secretory Mr S Mac Nia Ballinderry Rivers Trust freshwater life BALLINDERRY RIVERS TRUST IA Compony Limited by Guarantee. not having o shore capital) Company/Charity Employ••s Mr M Horton MBE 8Sc (Honsl Msc MIFM Mr E Devlin 8Sc IHonsl Miss J Johnston 8 Ed. Mrs H Kennedy Miss R McEldowney Bsc IHonsl Nr S NcGill Bsc (Honsl Mr F Mitchell Mr P Mitchell Chief Executive Farm Advisor Education & Outreach Officer Officer Manager Agriculture & Land Manager Farm Advisor Conservation and Breeding Programmes Manager Conservation and Breeding Programmes Officer Advlsors Independent aeeountants RTJ Ross & Co., 44 Molesworth Street, Cookstown, County Tyrone, BT80 8PA Audltors Corr and Corr Chartered Accountants, 2nd Floor, The Cornmill, Lineside, B520, Coalisland, Dungannon BT714LP Bankers Ulster Bank, 20 William Street, Cookstown, County Tyrone, BT80 8ND Sollcltors Millor, Shear and Black, 40 Molesworth Street, Cookstown, County Tyrone, BT80 8PH Insurers Publlc. Employers, Offlcers & Dlrectors. and Professlonal Indemnlty MEAD Sport & Leisure Ltd, PO 80X 1035, Smallt)urgh, Stalhom, Norwich, NR12 9ZL Contents NFU Mutual, LCC House, l Lissan Road, Cookstown, BT80 8EN Ballinderry Rivers Trust freshwater life BALLINDERRY RIVERS TRUST IA Compony Limited by Guarantee. not having o shore capital) TRUSTEES. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 The Trustees present their report along with the financial statements of Ballinderry Rivers Trust (the charitable company) for the year ended 31 March 2024. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in Note I to the financial statements and comply with the company's Articles of Association, the Companies Act 2006, Part 8 of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008, other opplicoble law and the requirements of the Statement of Recommended Practice ISORPI, FRS102 and with the financial reporting standards applicable to charities preparing their accounts. This is the third year the Trust has required a fully independent audit in accordance with the thresholds set in the Chorities Act (Northern Irelondl 2008 ond the outcome of this oudit is presented here. Structurej governance, and management a. Constltutlon The Trust is a registered chority and company limited by guarantee, governed by its Articles of Association. The Articles of Association were updated.. in 2011 to align with the Compar)ies Act 2006. in 2012 when the orgonisation changed its name from Ballinderry River Enhoncement Association to Bollinderry Rivers Trust., and in 2014, when the Trust extended its geographical area of charitable interest. Subject to the Articles of Association, membership is open to ony individual or organisation. b. Method ol appolntment or •l•ctlon of Truit••s The governing body of the Trust is the Board of Trustees, which comprises not less than 3 and no more than 20 Trustees. The Board comprises founding members of the Trust, these members having been retired, re-nominoted, ond subsequently re-elected ot the AGM, pursuant to Articles 23 and 24, and Trustees invited to join the 8oard by the members. One-fifth, or if the numk)er on the Board is not a multiple of 5, then the nearest to one-fifth, of the Trustees must retire by rotation annually at the Annual General Meeting IAGMI. The recruitment of Trustees is by communication with the Members. Subject to the Articles, selection is based on environmental or specific rivers trust interest, expertise in environmental or other relevant matters, general experience of charities and company/charity regulatory integrity, with the over-riding objective of maintaining a broadly representative t)ody, strong on governance and ability to add value. Ballinderry Rivers Trust freshwater life BALLINDERRY RIVERS TRUST IA Compony Limited by Guarantee. not having o shore capital) e. Poliei•s adopted for th• induction and training of Trust••s Newly appointed Trustees are given access to the Trust's digital file sharing and communication platform - Basecamp, which contains the governing documents of the Trust, the responsibilities of Company Directors and Charity Trustees, contact details of all other Trustees and copies of minutes, discussion papers and management accounts for all meetings preceding their appointment. Each new Trustee also receives an induction session with the Chief Executive of the Trust. The Board meets formally six times per year, but there is frequent consultation with Trustees, individually and as groups, outside formol meetings. d. Organlsatlonal structure and declslon-maklng The Board has confirmed that the Trust should adopt best practice in accordance with the advice and guidonce of its reporting accountants, RTJ Ross & Co, and its umbrella body, Tho Rivers Trust. The Board has adopted 'The Code of Good Governance, for charities in Northern Ireland Ihttp.'//www.diycommitteeguide.org/introducing-codel and The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland's 'Qunning Your Charity, guidonce Ihttps'.//www.charitycommissionni.org.uk/chority-essentiols/running-your-chority-guidance/l os its guiding principles of best proctice and effective governance. Executlve Offlc•rs At the end of 2023/2024, the Executive Officers of the Trust were.. Mr M Horton MBE Bsc (Honsl Msc MIFM Mrs H Kennedy Miss R McEldowney Bsc (Honsl Chief Executive Office Manager Agriculture & Lond Manager Employees At the end of 2023/2024, the employees of the Trust were,. Mr M Horton MBE Bsc (Honsl Msc MIFM Mr E Devlin Bsc IHonsl Miss J Johnston B Ed. Mrs H Kennedy Miss R McEldowney Bsc (Honsl Nr S NcGill Bsc (Honsl Mr F Mitchell Mr P Nitchell Chief Executive Farm Advisor Education & Outreach Officer Officer Nanager Agriculture & Land Manager Farm Advisor Conservation and Breeding Progrommes Manager Conservation and 8reeding Progrommes Officer e. Related party relationships The Trust works closely with The Rivers Trust (the umt)rella body for the river trust movement in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Ireland) and other charities and organisations. However, all relationships are conducted on an arms, length basis. Ballinderry Rivers Trust freshwater life BALLINDERRY RIVERS TRUST IA Compony Limited by Guarantee. not having o shore capital) f. Risk manag•m•nt As a small, incorporated charity, there is no legal requirement to undertake a formal Annual Risk Management Qeview, however, the Trustees recognise the need to identify and, as far as is practically possible, eliminate risk at source. Therefore, as a matter of adopting best practices, the Trustees have resolved to utilise the guidance provided by The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland in it 'Running your Charity, document. The Trustees encourage the executive officers to adopt innovative approaches in developing the Trust, to promote leadership and initiative, and to make real and significont contributions to environmental improvements. This ethos is supported by good governance, prudent financial control, sustainability, and a culture of mutual trust. The Trust maintains Public and Employers, Liat)ility and Professional Indemnity insurance cover as well as Trustees Officers and Directors, indemnity insurance; however, the Trustees consider insurance cover to be the measure of last resort, Purpose, Publle Benellt, Alms and Objectlves a. Purpose The purpose lobjectsl of the Trust is twofold.. Envlronmental protectlon and Improvement To conserve, protect, rehabilitote, ond improve the rivers, streams, watercourses and water impoundmer)ts in the geographical areas known as: the Bollirnderry River catchment in the Counties of Tyrone and Londonderry/E)erry', the Solterstown River cotchment in County Londonderry/Derry', all the watercourses entering the western shore of Lough Neagh between, but not including the mouths of the Blackwoter and Moyolo Rivers., Lough Neogh, ond, to o lesser extent, areas within the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland,. For the advancement of environmental protection or improvement for the benefit of the public. Educotion To advance the education of the public, or any association, institution, voluntary organisation, company, local authority, administrative or governmental agency or public body or representative body in.. The understanding of rivers, river corridors and river catchments, including their fauna, flora, biodiversity, economic or social activity, and river catchment management. The need for, and t)enefits of, conservation, protection, rehabilitation, and improvement of aquatic environments. Ballinderry Rivers Trust freshwater life BALLINDERRY RIVERS TRUST IA Compony Limited by Guarantee. not having o shore capital) b. Public B•n•fit stat•m•nt Environmental prot•¢tion and improvem•nt The direct benefits for the public which flow from the charity's purpose of environmental protection and improvement are improved water quality and freshwater habitats in rivers and loughs in the Trust's area, providing a healthier freshwater environment with greater social, economic and environmental volue, and; healthy populotions of water-dependant flora and founa which are an important part of the public's local natural heritage, and the conservation and protection of these species for future generations to enjoy. These k)enefits are evidenced through survey work undertaken by the Trust to determine the condition of water quality, habitat, or species populotions, before, during ond ofter conservation or rehabilitation works are carried out,. as a measure of success and achieving the Trust's aims. Environmental improvements undertaken by the Trust are also incidentally evidenced through Statutory monitoring and reporting, undertaken by Government Departments, and by academic institutions os part of reseorch projects. This provides o level of independent assessment of the Trust's work. Educatlon The direct benefits which flow from the purpose of education are increased public owareness of our rivers ond loughs and the roles the public con play in their protection,. upskilled members of the puk)lic in river survey and conservation techniques that give the public an opportunity to play a key role in the protection of the environment and., the provision of dedicated education resources ond support to schools and education providers, ollowing freshwater topics to be fully integrated into education provision in all schools in the Trust area. These t)enefits are evidenced through the number of students, community groups and individuols participating in educotion/informotion and troining events orgonised t)y the Trust, the uptake and usoge of educotion resources, the usage of the Trust's River School, and feedback from participants, education providers and group leaders. Asi•ssm•nt ol Harm orlslng from the Trust's Purpose Environmental improvement work, undertoken by the Trust, moy couse localised disturbance to wildlife and the immediate river environment, however, the Trust utilise best practice, evidence-based, river conversation and rehobilitotion methods, which include the mitigation of environmental impact. The Trust also works closely with Statutory Agencies, responsible for the regulation and protection of the environment, ensuring that its work is undertaken to the highest standard and in line with regulatory requirements. The impacts of any works carried out by the Trust are always minimal and are far outweighed by the benefits for which the work is being undertaken. The purpose of our charity does not pose any harm to environmental education. Ballinderry Rivers Trust freshwater life BALLINDERRY RIVERS TRUST IA Compony Limited by Guarantee. not having o shore capital) Ass•ssm•nt of Dir•et Privat• B•n•fit arising Irom the Trust's Purpose The purposes of the charity are not intended for any direct private benefits. Incidental private benefit may arise for landowners on whose land the Trust has undertaken work, which has led to an improvement in the environment,. to recreational users of the rivers and loughs due to improved water quality and increased biodiversity value, to the local tourism sector which supports these activities, and to those who receive training through the Trust which may allow them to privately benefit from these skills acquired, however, these benefits are an unavoidable ond necessary consequence of the charity fulfilling its purposes. c. Alms To deliver its purpose for wider public benefit, Ballinderry Rivers Trust aims to conserve, protect, and improve the rivers and loughs of the Bollinderry River system, Lough Neagh, the Lough's western-shore streams, and their wildlife, for the benefit of the public and the wider environment. To achieve this, we strive to.. Work in partnership with local communities, londowners, river and environmental interest groups, k)usinesses, education providers and statutory agencies to ensure that oll our projects ore sustainable, evidence-based, and utilise the invaluable knowledge, experience and skills that exist in our community. Improve the heolth of the rivers and loughs in the Trust's areo through water quality and habitat improvement projects. Conserve and protect locally ond glot)ally threatened freshwater species ond habitats. Provide volunteer and training opportunities for the public,. helping the Trust to deliver its work and upskilling the put)lic with transferable knowledge and skills. Educate the community on the importance of the freshwater environment and the role they carn play in its protection. Support and undertake research to further our understanding of the freshwater environment. Improve river and lough recreation and access opportunities thot allow the public to enjoy our freshwater environment in an environmentally sensitive way, brirlg benefits to the public, the environment, and the local economy. Ballinderry Rivers Trust freshwater life BALLINDERRY RIVERS TRUST IA Compony Limited by Guarantee. not having o shore capital) d. Obj•etiv•s lor a¢hi•ving wider publi¢ b•n•fit The Trust's strategy for achieving its objects and aims is twofold: l. Through its core activities: a. The Trust octs as the umbrella organisotion for river interest groups operating in the Trust's orea of choritable interest. Its policy is to support the development of, and build capacity in, these organisations helping to deliver the Trust's objects and provide wider public benefit to its work. b. the Trust provides mentoring in the further development of young people and life-long learners in the field of river conservation & management and land manogement, benefitting the environment and the wider public. c. The Trust provides volunteering opportunities, helping the Trust to deliver its objects, and providing wider public k)enefit to its work. 2. Through its project activities: a. The Trust pursues moinly public grant funded opportunities to promote, develop and deliver, practical solutions to environmental issues, for public benefit and to educate the community on the importonce of the freshwater environment. In setting objectives and planning for activities, the Trustees have given due consideration to general guidonce published k)y The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland reloting to wider public benefit for the, Advoncement of environmental protection or improvement, and the 'Advoncement of educotion,. Ballinderry Rivers Trust freshwater life - - - - The Trust provides learning and outreach opportunities through our Trust’s River School and Conservation Breeding Centre, Trust-led field trips to demonstration sites in the Ballinderry River system and the Trust providing outreach talks to groups. BALLINDERRY RIVERS TRUST IA Compony Limited by Guarantee. not having o shore capital) Curri¢ulum-bas•d and •xtracurricular primary and post-primary education We continued to deliver and develop our education and outreach programme through the 'Our Rivers, project. During the period 2023-24 a total of 755 Primary and Secondary school- aged students1539 Primary,. 216 Secondary), across 20 schools, took part in education and learning programmes offered by the Trust. This included a total of 425 students across 15 schools taking part in our Trout in the Classroom Programme. In total, 10 after-school 'Eco-Club' activities were also delivered in schools ocross the catchment area, which contributes towards Eco-school stotus for porticipoting schools. The Trust's new 'River Study,, in which students, occomponied by the Trust's Education and Outreoch Officer, trovel by bus down the Lisson Water, from its mountain source to its mouth, stopping at six locotions to undertake geogrophy ond science-based experiments to complete GCSE and A-Level fieldwork, wos delivered to 60 pupils, ocross two classes in one secondory school in the catchment oreo. As part of the 'River Study,, ond in partnership with Lissan House Trust we designed and erected an outdoor classroom on the banks of the Lissan Water. The outdoor classroom provides a safe, dry space for riverside lessons to take place, and allows children to interact with the river in real life. Ballinderry Rivers Trust freshwater life BALLINDERRY RIVERS TRUST IA Compony Limited by Guarantee. not having o shore capital) Public •du¢ation and outr•aeh During 2023-24, the Trust attended two agricultural shows Iomagh and Tullylaganl with our mobile education and outreach tent, comprising display tanks and a touch-pool for aquatic species. In total approximately 350 people were engaged in the work of the Trust at these events. The Trust also took port in a family fun day ot The Notional Trust's Springhill House, near Moneymore, with approximately 75 children toking part in activities delivorod by the Trust. In oddition, two l-day Riverside Summer Sessions were held for families during July/ August 2023. Attendoes engaged in activities around the river, investigated river invertebrates and learnt about the importance of good water quality. Rlvers ond Flsherles Internships For the fifth year the Trust delivered o Rivers ond Fisheries Internship, which focuses on freshwater ecological survey techniques and in-channel ond riparian hobitat restorotion. For the first time the Trust offered a new Agriculture ond Cotchment Monogement Internship, which focuses on lond ossessment for identifying pressures on the woter environment and its wildlife arising from agriculture and land management practices, ond planning and implementing appropriate nature-based and engineered mitigations. The aim of the internships are to provide structured and purposeful long-term placements lup to12 months) for up to two students per year, studying a relevant degree at Queens University, Ulster University, or the College of Agriculture Food and Rural Enterprise ICAFREI. The intention is for the students to learn in a work environment while achieving learning outcomes as part of their academic courses. Knowledge, skills, and ideas are transferred between the Trust and the students with the aim of developing both the students, ond the capability of the Trust to deliver its charitat)le objectives. Ballinderry Rivers Trust freshwater life BALLINDERRY RIVERS TRUST IA Compony Limited by Guarantee. not having o shore capital) During 2023-24 the Trust hosted three interns: one Rivers and Fisheries Intern and one Agriculture and Catchment Management Intern on three-month summer placements and one dual internship for a period of g-months. In March 2024, the Trust undertook a recruitment exercise for 2024-25 candidates for the internships. Volunteering Opportunities The Trusts volunteering opportunities provide transferable skills and knowledge to participants whilst helping the Trust to achieve its objectives in a cost ond time efficient manner. During this period12023_241, volunteers collectively contributed 1,116.5 hours of in-kind time with o comk)ined monetary value of £22,329.99 Ibased on Heritage Lottery Fund benchmark day rotes for Unskilled1£501, Skilled1£1501 and Professionol1£3501 volunteers). Ballinderry Rivers Trust freshwater life BALLINDERRY RIVERS TRUST IA Compony Limited by Guarantee. not having o shore capital) b. Proj•¢t A¢tiviti•$ R•siRiv•r2030: Towards Natur• R•¢ov•ry and Climat• R•sili•n¢• in th• Ballind•rry River cat¢hm•nt by 2030 Name ResiRiver 2030 Project (Year l of 51 Period 1st April 2023 - 31st March 2028 Type Habitat Improvement/Woter Quality Improvement/Climate Resilience Project Partners The Rivers Trust Project funder/s Northern Ireland Environment Agency (Environment Fund Strategic Strand) £204,658 Ballinderry Rivers Trust lown funds) £4,891 Other contributions Other match funding including from The Rivers Trust ond DAERA Sustoinable Catchment Progromme £127,824 Volunteer Time £21,881 Overall value £359,254 ResiRiver 2030 is a five-yeor project thot seeks to deliver on nationol and internotional targets for water quolity, biodiversity and climate adaptation in the Ballinderry River cotchment. The project is working at a landscape-scale, through the principles of integrated catchment manogement, nature networks and the use of nature-based solutions, to deliver a progromme of catchment-scale octions that are designed to support nature's recovery and climate adaptation and resilience in the river system. This is an ambitious project that aims to deliver a number of outcomes, designed to meet local environmentol need, Northern Ireland policies and strategies, os well as contribute to international targets and conventions on water, biodiversity, climate and sustainable development. The outcomes and delivery mechanisms are as follows.. Outcome I By 2030, 95% of the Upper Ballinderry River SAC/ASSI designated site155.8ha of the 58.8 ha site), will be under Favourable Conservation Management. By 2030, at least 30% of the upper Ballinderry River catchment area138.Ikm2 of the 127km catchment) - hydrologically connected to the designated site- will be under Favourable Conservation Management. Ballinderry Rivers Trust freshwater life BALLINDERRY RIVERS TRUST IA Compony Limited by Guarantee. not having o shore capital) By 2030, the status of waterbodies in the upper Ballinderry River ASSI/SAC catchment will have achieved, or be moving towards, at least'good, water quality status. To achieve this, we will.. Provide non-regulatory water-friendly farming advice to landowners along and in the catchment area of the Upper Ballinderry River SAC/ASSI, through a team of dedicated Form Advisors, and produce 200 farm-scale Water and Environment Manogement Plans IWEMPS) thot identify measures required for the protection of water, land, ond air, that contribute to the favouroble monagement of the SAC/ASSI (some of these plans may be outside the SAC/ASSI catchment where actions ore required to reduce atmospheric ommonia impacting on the SAC/ASSII. Further develop and odminister the Ballinderry Water-friendly Forming lagri- environmentall Scheme IWFSI, as a mechanism through which to deliver funding to farms for targeted water, lond and air protection measures expected to bring about condition improvements to the SAC/ASSI. Develop and pilot a Results-based Payments Scheme IRbPSI for landowners in the Upper 8allinderry River SAC/ASSI, designed to secure sustained, long-term, water quality ond hok)itat improvement for the special protection features of the SAC, as well os wider biodiversity, including peatland restoration (see Outcome 51. Control Japanese Knotweed and Giant Hogweed, in and neor to the Upper Ballinderry River SAC/ASSI. Identify opportunities for tree plonting in the Upper Bollinderry River SAC/ASSI and wider 80llinderry catchment, by working with The Rivers Trust and the Woodland Trust Iwoodlonds for Water Officer) and undertake annual tree planting (target 5000 trees by 20281. Establish on SAC/ASSI Landowner Informotion Hub for londowners, providing support and guidance on managing lond and farming along the SAC/ASSI, including support in obtoining consent and undertaking work olong the designated stretch. Outcome 2.. By 2027, the WFD status in all waterbodies in the Ballinderry catchment has not deteriorated k)elow Moderate. To achieve this, we will.. Develop and publish a Catchment Plan lincorporating the Upper Ballinderry River SAC Conservation Management plan), as o public facing interactive Storymap, that combines data actions from all sectors to achieve improved water quality across the Ballinderry River system and western-shore rivers of Lough Neogh. Utilise this plan to secure funding for strategic project delivery. Outcome 3: By 2030, the 8allinderry freshwater pearl mussel population in the SAC/ASSI designated site will have increased to 6,000 individuals and will show signs of natural recruitment in the wild. To achieve this, we will.. Maintain and further develop the long-running Ballinder Conservation Breeding and Reinforcement Programm res ate earl Nussel Rivers Trust freshwater life BALLINDERRY RIVERS TRUST IA Compony Limited by Guarantee. not having o shore capital) of an FPM Conservation Breeding Centre Technician by existing staff (port of breeding programme continuity planning). Undertake detailed habitat assessment and mapping of suitable mussel habitat stretches in the SAC/ASSI to identify new release sites, to expand the range of the population within the river. Release at least 1500 juvenile mussels to the river1-300 each yearl. Undertake annual condition assessments of mussels and habitat at release sites on an annual basis. Undertake annual salmonid population assessments at 30 sites per annum across the Ballinderry River catchment to compliment FPM assessment data. Undertake annual redox assessment at established FPM/Salmonid Habitat Assessment Sites to inform site condition and habitat improvement measures. Outcome 4: By 2028, all known freshwater pearl mussel populations in Northern Ireland will be better understood and protected through an integrated approach to species conservation ond monogement. To ochieve this, we will.. Undertake Condition Assessments, using JNCC Common Standards Monitoring ICSMI, for all six freshwater pearl mussel rivers in Nl - maintaining the 6-year data collection and reporting cycle. Outcome 5: By 2030, 12ha of peatlond, located on privately owned lond, will have been restored to functioning peat, sequestering corbon, ond contrit)uting to hydrological function within the catchment, and act as a pilot for peatlond restoration on privotely owned lond. To achieve this, we will.. Integrate peatland restoratior) with Result-based Payment Scheme IRbPSI pilot (see Outcome 11, as a trial incentive to peatland restorotion on privately owned land. Identify and recruit ot least two forms with a minimum area of12ho of peatland restoration potentiol into the peatlond restoration pilot project. Undertoke peatland restoration meosures on the privotely owned peatland. Use RbPS Score Cards to assess peat recovery Icarbon sequestration) and biodiversity net gain. Outcome 6.. By 2028, the rivers trust network in Northern Ireland will be more sustainable and better able to contribute to achieving national and international objectives for water, biodiversity, and climate. To achieve this, Ballinderry Rivers Trust will coordinate a support network for rivers trusts in Northern Ireland licotchl and act as a hub trust for Nl's rivers trusts to organise, coordinate, and host: 50 icatch meetings encouraging peer-to-peer learning and support and greater links with Irish rivers trusts. 5 rivers trust seminars/events, bringing together Nl, cros trusts to share learning and expertise. order an rish rivers Ballinderry Rivers Trust freshwater life BALLINDERRY RIVERS TRUST IA Compony Limited by Guarantee. not having o shore capital) Linking Nl rivers trusts through Communities of Practice, providing specialist per-to- peer support and knowledge transfer. The ResiQiver 2030 Project is being delivered in partnership with.. The Rivers Trust The ResiRiver 2030 project is funded by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, an Agency within the Department for Agriculture, Environment & Rural Affairs, through the Environment Fund IEFI Strategic Strand 2023-2028. Departmentof | Northern Ireland Environment Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (IAt'f¢l-rii (i()v ilk l Agency www.daera-ni.gov.u Ballinderry Rivers Trust freshwater life BALLINDERRY RIVERS TRUST IA Compony Limited by Guarantee. not having o shore capital) Salt•rstown Group Facilitation Proj•¢t Name Salterstown Group Facilitation Project IYear11 Period Ist April 2023- 31st March 2026 Type Water Quality Improvement/Education Project Partners The Rivers Trust Project funder/s DAERA (Environmental Farming Bronchl £83,243 Other contributions Overall value None £0 £83,243 This project aims to reduce the impact of agricultural businossos on water quality in the Salterstown River, by provide non-regulotory water-friendly farming advice to landowners in the catchment, through a team of dedicated Form Advisors, and producing farm-scole Water ond Environment Monogement Plans IWEMPS) that identify measures required for the protection of woter quality, The form plans ore designed to identify ond prioritise oction thot can t)e taken through the Trust's Bollinderry Water-friendly Farming lagri-environmentall Scheme IWFSI, as a mechanism through which to deliver funding to farms for targeted woter, land ond air protection meosures. The plans olso identify opportunities for tree plonting which will be delivered in partnership with The Rivers Trust ond the Woodland Trust Iwoodlonds for Water Officer). Solterstown Group Facilitotion Project is funded through and being delivered in portnership with.. The Rivers Trust The Rivers Trust's Group Facilitation Project is part of the DAERA Environmental Farming Scheme - Group Facilitation programme which is jointly funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development IEAFRDI and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs IDAERAI. Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Thw EuropoanAgrlcuttui41 Fu￿d lor Rural D#v•lwi*nt.. ￿￿10p• In¥gsdn¥ ar•a• w¥￿￿.<￿er￿l.g￿.uk Ballinderry Rivers Trust freshwater life BALLINDERRY RIVERS TRUST IA Compony Limited by Guarantee. not having o shore capital) Su$tainabl• Catehm•nts Programme Name Sustainable Catchments Programme ISCPI 2023-24 Period Ist April 2023- 31st March 2024 Type Water Quality Improvement/Education Project Partners The Rivers Trust Project funder/s DAERA (Green Growth Programmel £535,445 Other contributions Overall value Landowner contribution £180,602 £716,047 The Sustainable Catchment Programme ISCPI is joint initiative between tho Department for Agriculture, Environment & Rural Affairs IDAERAI ond The Rivers Trust and is a capital grant that allows the implementation of on-form measures that are identified through the production of Water Environment Manogement Plans and are expected to bring obout water quolity benefit. Through this fund the Trust was oble to significantly increose the impoct of its Water-friendly Farming Scheme, to benefit water quality and wildlife, by being able to commit significant funds for on-form woter quolity protection meosures and levering additional landowner contributions towards the cost of measures. The Sustainable Catchment Programme ISCPI is delivered in portnership with.. The Rivers Trust The Sustainable Catchment Programme ISCPI is funded by the Department for Agriculture, Environment & Rural Affairs, under its Green Growth programme. Departmentof Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs GREEN GRowfH %w.daera-ni.gov.uk Ballinderry Rivers Trust freshwater life BALLINDERRY RIVERS TRUST IA Compony Limited by Guarantee. not having o shore capital) Our Riv•rs (2022-2025) Name Our Qivers Period 7th October 2022 - 30th April 2025 (extended from 30th September 20241 Type Water Quolity Improvement/Education Project Partners Lissan House Trust Project funder/s Garfield Weston £47,619 Other contributions Oveiall value None £0 £47,619 lof £140.000 total project value) The 'Our Rivers, project hos two moin objectives.. l. Design and implementation of o multi-facetted freshwater education programme aimed primarily at Key Stoge 2, providing both class and field-based options for learning about our rivers and loughs. 2. Coordinotion of a range of volunteer initiatives aimed ot increasing porticipation in recording and environmental monitoring through citizen science. This project aims to reinvigorate and further grow our education and outreach impact through development ond delivery a new, exciting, engoging, and integrated freshwater learning, outreach, and citizen science experience, aimed at increasing environmental oworeness at)out our water environment ond involvement of the public in direct conservation activity. The project strives to estat)lish the Ballinderry River catchment os Northern Ireland's 'Freshwoter Education ond Engagement Hub,, ot the fore of'hond-on, environmental engagement and accessik)le to all. The project will provide the freshwater education support and opportunities that our local schools are so eager for us to deliver for them and be able to meet the demond in an effective, impactful, ond sustainable way. We will also provide high quality, meaningful, and fulfilling freshwater volunteering and citizen science opportunities for the public who have a renewed appetite and interest in their local environment. The 'Our Rivers, project is funded by the Garfield Weston Foundation. Garfield Weston FOUNDATION Ballinderry Rivers Trust freshwater life BALLINDERRY RIVERS TRUST IA Compony Limited by Guarantee. not having o shore capital) c. Grant making polici•$ The Trust does not provide grants to other bodies. Achlevements and perlormance . Going Concern After making appropriate enquiries and due consideration, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Trust hos adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. b. R•vlew of aetlvltles Core activltles In 2023/24, we said we would. Continue to act as the umbrella organisation for river interest groups operating in the Trust's area. Continue to provide mentoring in the further development of young people and life- long learners in the field of river conservation & management and land management, benefitting the environment and the wider public, Continue to provide volunteering opportunities, both formol le.g., internships, work placements) and informol lon-off events), helping the Trust to deliver its objectives and providing wider public benefit through its work. Recognise the contribution that volunteers make. Promote the work of the Trust ond how the Trust ochieves its choritat)le objectives through.. Website Social Media PR and Communications Events Deliver training to the Board of Trustees and staff to continually improve the Trust's reach to beneficiaries, impact on choritoble objectives ond overoll effectiveness in achieving its aims. Publish o 5-year strategic business plon for the Trust which includes key performance indicators. Continue to undertake cost saving measures in the Trust to ensure services/utilities the Trust receives are best value for money. Further develop good goverrlance in the Chority. Maintain Robust Roting for financial control from the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, demonstrating the Trust operates financial controls comparable to the Department. Continue to develop further policies and protocols, in line with t)est practice governance of the Trust and the requirements of The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland. Ballinderry Rivers Trust freshwater life BALLINDERRY RIVERS TRUST IA Compony Limited by Guarantee. not having o shore capital) During 2023/24 we. Continued to act as the umbrella organisation for river interest groups operating in the Trust's area and supported these groups on the river through the continued provision of recreational access and habitat restoration/protection projects. Continued to provide mentoring in the further development of young people and life- long learners in the field of river conservation & management and land management through the Trust's Rivers and Fisheries Internship Programme and the new Agriculture and Land Management Internship. Provided structuring volunteering through intern placement students and through the trusts activities which included a range of skilled duties. Secured funds to recognise the role of volunteers in the Trust through volunteer appreciation events. Promoted the work of the Trust and how the Trust achieves its charitat)le objectives through social medio. Provided ongoing 'good governance, information, guidance and leadership to the Board of Trustees and stoff to continuolly improve the Trust's reach to benoficiaries, impact on charitable objectives and overoll effectiveness in achieving its aims. Continued to undertake cost saving measures in the Trust to ensure services/utilities the Trust receives are t)est volue for money. Drafted a 5-year strotegic business plon for the Trust which includes key performance indicotors. Further developed Good Governance in the Charity including updating the Trust's various policies ond procedures. Maintoined a Robust Roting for financial control from the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rurol Affairs, demonstrating the Trust operates financial controls comparoble to the Department. Continued to develop further policies and protocols, in line with best proctice governance of the Trust ond the requirements of The Chority Commission for Northern Ireland. In addition, the Trust maintained the access created through the Ardtrea to Drapersfield Wolkway Project, including controlling the growth and spread of Giant Hogweed (Heracleum montegazzianuml which poses o health risk to access users ond an environmentol risk to the river and biodiversity. Project activities In 2023/24 we said we would.. Deliver the first year of the ResiRiver 2030 project, funded by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency's Environment Fund 2023 - 2028, including: Identify and secure peatland restoration pilot sites in the upper Bollinderry River catchment. Explore the development of a pilot Results-based Payments Scheme for landowners undertaking environmental stewardship. Offer non-regulatory water-friendly farming advice to landowners in the Upper Ballinderry River SAC and the Aghaveagh catchment. Undertake fisheries and habitat assessments across the Trust's area. Continue to control Japanese Knotweed and Giant Ho weed in the Upper Ballinderry River SAC cotchment. Ballinderry Rivers Trust freshwater life - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - BALLINDERRY RIVERS TRUST IA Compony Limited by Guarantee. not having o shore capital) Financial r•vi•w a. R•s•rv•s policy It is the aim of the Trustees to generate a level of reserves sufficient to carry out the objects of the Trust on a steody and stable basis. The Trustees have therefore resolved to hold surplus liquid funds in short term deposits that can be accessed readily. In determining the level of reserves to be held the Trustees have considered the income generating streams of the organisation, from the selling of services, public donations and restricted project funding alongside the running costs which will be financed through restricted funds, match funding arrangements, and the organisation's general funds. The Board has therefore resolved to hold sufficient reserves to respond to ony unexpected difficulties in securing restricted funding and to meet contractual obligations to staff including the provision of redundancy payments should the Trust t)e forced to close. Based upon the levels of expenditure in the financial year, it wos agreed thot £145,500 would be held in reserve. The trustees wonted to ensure that sufficient reserves were ovailable to respond to any unexpected difficulties in securing restricted funding. To bridge any potentiol shortfall in income and to allow sufficient time for additionol income to k)e secured £145,500 would cover 6 months running costs of £24,000 ond salories of £121,500. Although controctual notice periods of staff would cost £31,000, the trustees agreed that staffing numbers should be retained at the current level, as any reduction would significantly reduce the Trusts ability to deliver on its purposes. Controctual obligations to staff include the provision of redundoncy payments. Should the Trust be forced to close current redundancy costs would be £32,713. Further contractual obligation with suppliers would cost £2,000. The trustees further agreed that surplus funds beyond the amount to be held in reserve could be used for the benefit of the Trust. Ballinderry Rivers Trust freshwater life BALLINDERRY RIVERS TRUST IA Compony Limited by Guarantee. not having o shore capital) b. Principal funding Incom• In 2023/2024, total incoming resources were £885.83112022/23: £960,981). The Trust was fortunate enough to receive support during the year from several sources, including.. Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs IDAERAI. DAERA Green Growth Fund. European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development IEAFRDI. Garfield Weston Foundation. Northern Irelond Environment Agency's INIEA} Environment Fund Strategic Strand 2023- 2028. Expendlture Total expenditure for 2023/2024 was £883,96212022/23. £855,432), Balanc• sheet The Trust was in o healthy financiol position ot year-end, with net assets of £242,91812022/23'. £241,049) The Board confirms thot since the year-end, it is not aware of any events that would hove a material detrimental impact on its position. Ballinderry Rivers Trust freshwater life BALLINDERRY RIVERS TRUST IA Compony Limited by Guarantee. not having o shore capital) Plans lor th• luture a. Futur• d•v•lopm•nt$ Core octiviti•$ In 2024/25, we plan to: Continue to oct as the umbrella organisation for river interest groups operating in the Trust's area. Continue to provide mentoring in the further development of young people and life- long learners in the field of river conservation & management and land management, benefitting the environment and the wider public. Continue to provide volunteering opportunities, both formal le.g., internships, work placements) and informol lon-off events), helping the Trust to deliver its objectives and providing wider public benefit through its work. Recognise the contribution that volunteers make. Promote the work of the Trust and how the Trust achieves its charitoble objectives through. Wet)site Social Media PR and Communications Events Deliver training to the Board of Trustees and staff to continually improve the Trust's reach to beneficiaries, impact on charitable objectives ond overall effectiveness in ochieving its aims. Publish a 5-year strategic business plon for the Trust which includes key performance indicators. Continue to ensure thot the services/utilities the Trust receives ore best value for money. Further develop good governance in the Charity. Mointain Robust Roting for financial control from the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rurol Affoirs, demonstrating the Trust operates financial controls comparable to the Department. Continue to develop further policies ond protocols, in line with best practice governance of the Trust and the requirements of The Charity Commission for Northern Irelond. Ballinderry Rivers Trust freshwater life BALLINDERRY RIVERS TRUST IA Compony Limited by Guarantee. not having o shore capital) Pro1￿t activiti•$ In 2024/25, we plan to: Deliver the second year of the ResiRiver 2030 project, funded by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency's Environment Fund 2023 - 2028. Deliver the remainder of the'our Rivers, project, funded by the Garfield Weston Foundation. Continue to run the Trust's Conservation Breeding Centre for freshwater pearl mussel and white-clawed crayfish. Continue to offer non-regulatory woter-friendly forming advice to londowners in the Salterstown catchment. Secure additionol funding for on-form interventions targeted at improving water and habitot quality Organise and deliver on-form demonstration events, promoting best practice in agriculture for the protection of the freshwoter environment. Continue to plan for, devise and deliver projects that improve water quality and habitat in the rivers and loughs in the Trust aroa. Further develop Ballinderry Rivers Trust as a hut) trust for other rivers trusts in Northern Ireland, providing mentoring and coordinating training and peer-to-peer learning ond support. Host an All-lreland rivers trust conference/seminar/event, in partnership with The Rivers Trust. Identify opportunities for collaborative projects with neighbouring rivers trusts or like- minded organisations, providing mutual environmental benefit and wider public benefit to our work. Pursue Corporate support/sponsorship opportunities. Pursue funding opportunities through UK and international grant giving bodies and trusts to deliver the aims and objectives of the Trust. Ballinderry Rivers Trust freshwater life BALLINDERRY RIVERS TRUST IA Compony Limited by Guarantee. not having o shore capital) Tru$t••$' r•$pon$ibiliti•s stat•m•nt The Trustees (who ore also directors of Ballinderry Rivers Trust for the purposes of company lawl are responsible for preparing this Trustees, Report, and independent accounts in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Procticel. Company and charity law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company ond the group and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including income and expenditure, of the charitable group for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to.. select suitable accounting policies ond then apply them consistently; observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP,. make judgments ond estimates thot are reasonoble and prudent; state whether the Charities SORP (effective January 20151 in accordance with FRS102 hos been followed,. prepore the finoncial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable group will continue in operotion. The Trustees ore responsible for keeping adequate occounting records that are sufficient to show and exploin the charitoble company tronsoctions ond disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial stotements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable compony ond the group ond hence for toking reasonot)le steps for the prevention and detection of froud ond other irregularities. The Trustees are responsible for the mointenarnce and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable group's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of finoncial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. Ballinderry Rivers Trust freshwater life BALLINDERRY RIVERS TRUST IA Compony Limited by Guarantee. not having o shore capital) Di$¢losur• of information to reporting aeeountants Each of the persons who are Trustees at the time when this Trustees, report is approved has confirmed that: so far as that Trustee is aware, there is no relevant information of which the charity's reporting accountant are unaware, and the Trustee has taken all the steps that ought to have been taken as a Trustee in order to be aware of any information needed by the charity's reporting accountants in connection with preparing their report and to establish that the choritable group's audrtors are aware of that information. This report was approved by the Trustees on 20th November 2024 ond signed on their behalf, by.. l Q,.W- Miss Victoria Graham Chairperson/Trustee Ballinderry Rivers Trust freshwater life BALLINDERRY RIVERS TRUST IA Compony Limited by Guarantee. not having o shore capital) REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE MEMBERS OF BALLINDERRY RIVERS TRUST Oplnlon We have audited the financial statements of 8allinderry Rivers Trust (the 'charitab)le company'} for the Year Ended 31 Morch 2024 which comprise the Statement of Finoncial Activities, the Balance Sheet, the Cash Flow Statement and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financiol reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is opplicak)le law ond United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Reput)lic of Ireland" and Accounting and Reporting by Charities.. Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their occounts in occordonce with FRS 102. In our opinion the finoncial statements: give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company's affairs as at 31 March 2024 and of its incoming resources and opplication of resources, including its income ond expenditure, for the year then ended,. have k)een properly prepared in accordonce with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice,. and have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. have t)een prepared in occordonce with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008. Basls for oplnlon We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing IUKI IISAS IUKII and applicable low. Our responsibilities under those stondards ore further described in the Auditors, responsibilities for the audit of the financial stotements section of our report. We ore independent of the choritable company in occordance with the ethical requirements thot ore relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC'S Ethical Stondord, and we hove fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in occordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and oppropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. Conclu$lon$ r•latlng to golng eone•rn In auditing the financiol 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 the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charitable company s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue. Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report. Ballinderry Rivers Trust freshwater life BALLINDERRY RIVERS TRUST IA Compony Limited by Guarantee. not having o shore capital) Other inlormation The trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report, other than the financial statements and our Report of the 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 form of assurance conclusion thereon. In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other informotion is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially 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 performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we ore required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard. Oplnlons on other matters prescrlbed by the Companles Act 2006 In our opinion, based on the work undertoken in the course of the oudit: the informotion given in the Report of the Trustees for the finoncial year for which the financial statements ore prepared is consistent with the financial statements,. and the Report of the Trustees hos k)een prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements. Matters on whlch we are requlred to report by exception In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the choritat)le compony ond its environment obtained in the course of the oudit, we have not identified moteriol misstotements in the Report of the Trustees. We have nothing to report ir) respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion: odequote accounting records hove not been kept or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from t)ranches not visited by us,. or the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns,. or certain disclosures of trustees, remuneration specified by law are not mode., or we have not received all the irlformation and explanotions we require for our audit. The trustees were not entitled to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the small companies regime and take advantage of the small companies exemption in preparing the Trustee, Annual Report. Ballinderry Rivers Trust freshwater life BALLINDERRY RIVERS TRUST IA Compony Limited by Guarantee. not having o shore capital) R•$ponsibiliti•s of trust••$ As explained more fully in the Trustees, Qesponsibilities Statement, the trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company lawl are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, ond for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessory to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessirTrg the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, motters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of occounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so. Audltor's responslbilities for the audlt of the financlal statements Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstotoment, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue a Report of the Independent Auditors that includes our opinion. Reasonot)le ossurance is o high level of assuronce, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in occordonce with ISAS IUKI will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstotements con orise from fraud or error and ore considered material if, individually or in the oggregate, they could reasonably t)e expected to influence the economic decisions of users token on the k)asis of these finoncial statements, Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined at)ove, to detect materiol misstatements in respect of irregularities, including froud. The extent to which our procedures ore copable of detecting irregularities, including froud is detailed below. There is inherent difficulty in detecting irregularities during audit. However effectiveness of entities controls, the nature and extent of the audit procedures performed, gives us confidence in detecting irregularities. Further informotlon regardlng the icopè ol our responsibilltl•s as oudltor As part of an audit in accordance with ISAS IUKI, we exercise professional judgement and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also: Identify and assess the risks of moterial misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The 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, misrepresentations, 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 the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the charitable company s internal control. Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates ond related disclosures made by the trustees. Ballinderry Rivers Trust freshwater life BALLINDERRY RIVERS TRUST IA Compony Limited by Guarantee. not having o shore capital) 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 doubt on the charitable company's ab)ility to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our Report of the Independent Auditors to the related disclosures in the financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our Report of the Independent Auditors. However, future events or conditions may cause the charitable compony's to cease to continue os a going concern. Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial statements, including the disclosures, and whether the financiol statements represent the underlying transactions ond events in a manner that achieves fair presentation. We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit ond significant oudit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit. Use of our report This report is mode solely to the charitok)le company's memk)ers, as o body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Port 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work hos been undertaken so that we might stote to the charitok)le compony's members those matters we ore required to stote to them in an auditors, report ond for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by low, we do not accept or ossume responsibility to onyone other thon the charitot)le compony ond the choritat)le company s members as o body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we hove formed. Brendan Corr (Senior Statutory Auditor) for and on behalf of Corr & Corr Chartered Accountants & Statutory Auditor 2nd Floor, The Cornmill Coalislond, Co. Tyrone N. Ireland BT714LP Date: 20th November 2024 Ballinderry Rivers Trust freshwater life BALLINDERRY RIVERS TRUST IA Compony Limited by Guarantee. not having o shore capital) Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 2024 Total funds 2023 Total funds Unrestricted Restricted fund fund Income and endowments from Donations and legacies Expendlture on Charitable activities General 31,119 812,738 843,857 816,202 other Total 855 432 Transfers between funds NEf INCOME 17 36,906 3,171 (36,906) (1,302) 1,869 105,549 Net movement In funds 3,171 (1,302) 1,869 105,549 Reconclllatlon of funds Total funds brought forward 145,430 95,619 241,049 135,500 Totsl funds carrled forward 148,601 94,317 242,918 241,049 The Statement of Financiol Activities includes oll gains and losses recognised in the financial year. All income and expenditure relate to continuing activities. The notes form part of these financial stotements Ballinderry Rivers Trust freshwater life BALLINDERRY RIVERS TRUST IA Compony Limited by Guarantee. not having o shore capital) Balance Sheet 31 March 2024 2024 Total funds 2023 Total funds fund fund Fixed assets Tangible assets 12 2,123 82,834 84,957 86,948 Current assets Debtors sh at bank 13 14 514,120 11,483 525,603 813,567 594,811 11,483 ()06,294 864,616 Creditors Amounts falllng wlthln one year 15 (448,333) (448,333) (710,515) 157 961 ToLryl assets less current Ilabllltles 148,601 94,317 242,918 241,049 NEf ASSEfs/(UABILrrIES) 242 918 Funds Unrestrlcted funds Re5trlcted fu￿15 17 148,601 145,430 Totsl funds 242 918 These financial stotements have t)een prepared in accordonce with the special provisions relating to small companies within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 20th Novemt)er 2024 and were signed on its behalf t)y: V R Graham - Trustee The notes form part of these financial stotements Ballinderry Rivers Trust freshwater life BALLINDERRY RIVERS TRUST IA Compony Limited by Guarantee. not having o shore capital) 41 Cash Flow Statement for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 2024 2023 Cash flows from operatlng actlvltles Cash generatgj from operatlons 19 72 020) Net cash provided by operating activities 72 020) Cash flows from Investlng actlvltles Purchase of tangible fixed assets Net cash (us&l In)/provlded by InvestSng aLtlvltle5 Change in cash and cash equivalents In the reporting period Cash and cash equlvalents at the beglnnlno of the reportlng perlod 29,643 18,915 Cash and cash equlvalents at the end of the reportlng perlod The notes form part of these financial statements Ballinderry Rivers Trust freshwater life BALLINDERRY RIVERS TRUST IA Compony Limited by Guarantee. not having o shore capital) Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 Oth•r restrl¢t•d funds The closing balance breakdown of the 'Other Restricted Funds, totalling £94,317 in NOTE17. Aecountlng pollci•$ Basis ot preparing the Ilnaneial statement5 The financial statements of the charitable company, which is o public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepored in accordance with the Charities SORP IFRS1021 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities.. Statement of Recommended Practice opplicat)le to chorities preporing their accounts in accordance with the Financiol Reporting Stondord opplicot)le in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021 (effective l January 20191,, Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicak)le in the UK and Republic of Ireland, ond the Companies Act 2006. The financiol statements hove been prepared under the historical cost convention. Income All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will t)e received and the amount can be measured reliably. Expendlture Liabilities are recognised as expenditure os soon os there is a legal or constructive obligotion committing the charity to that expenditure, it is proboble that a transfer of economic benefits will t)e required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be meosured reliat)ly. Expenditure is accounted for or) an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on o basis consistent with the use of resources. Tangible fixed ossets Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost or at valuation, less accumulated depreciation. The charge to depreciation is calculated to write off the original cost or valuation of tangit)le fixed ossets, less their estimated residual value, over their expected useful lives as follows: Plant and machinery - IO/ Straight line Taxatlon No current or deferred taxation arises as the company has been granted charitable exemption. Irrecoverable valued added tax is expenses as incurred. Ballinderry Rivers Trust freshwater life BALLINDERRY RIVERS TRUST IA Compony Limited by Guarantee. not having o shore capital) Fund ae¢ounting Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees. Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes. Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements. Statement of eompllance The financial statements of the company for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 have been prepared on the going concern basis and in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice ISORP) Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS1021 (effective l January 20151 and FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Repuk)lic of Ireland" Donatlons and legacles 2024 Total funds 2023 Totsl funds Unrestrlcted Restrlcted funds funds Grants Educatlon servlces 1,739 835 883,257 885,831 960,981 883 257 885 831 Grants received, included in the above, are as follows: 2024 2023 ABC Grant EFS Linc Project Rlver Trust Projects Garfield Weston Sustainable Catchment Pllot Grant EIP Win Resi River Donations Capital Grants 4,802 67,897 191,668 12.743 9.962 554.658 26.714 83,243 47.619 535.445 12,292 21YI,658 1,739 1,601 ,936 960 981 Ballinderry Rivers Trust freshwater life BALLINDERRY RIVERS TRUST IA Compony Limited by Guarantee. not having o shore capital) Charitabl• a¢tiviti•s Costs Support costs (r•ee note 5) Direct Totals General 827 922 Support costs Governance costs Totals neral Net Income/(expendltur•) Net income/lexpenditurel is stated after chorging/lcreditingl'. 2024 2023 Depr£rlatSon - owned assets Trustees. remuneratlon and benellts There were no trustees, remuneration or other benefits for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 nor for the year ended 31 March 2023. Trustees, exp•ns•s There were no trustees, expenses paid for the Yeor Ended 31 March 2024 nor for the year ended 31 March 2023. Staff costs 2024 2023 Wage5 and salarfes The average monthly number of employees during the year was os follows.. 2024 2023 Employees No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000. Comparatives for the statement of linancial octlvitle$ Ballinderry Rivers Trust freshwater life BALLINDERRY RIVERS TRUST IA Compony Limited by Guarantee. not having o shore capital) Total funds fund fund Income and endowments from Donattons and legacies 939 335 Expenditure on Charitable activities General 70,1)52 746,140 816,202 other Total 776 965 855 432 NET INCOME 10,098 95,451 105,549 Reconclllatlon of funds Total funds brought forward (as at 01 April 2022) 135,332 168 135,500 Total funds carrled forward (as at 31 March 2023) 145 430 io. Debtors Debtors ore recognised at the settlement amount due after ony discount offered. Prepoyments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due. Income recognised by the company from government agencies and other co-founders, but not yet received at year end is included in debtors. Cash at bonk and In hand Cash ot bank and in hand comprises cash on deposit at banks requiring less than three months, notice of withdrawal. Ballinderry Rivers Trust freshwater life BALLINDERRY RIVERS TRUST IA Compony Limited by Guarantee. not having o shore capital) 12. Tangible fix•d as$•t$ Flxtures and ffttings Plant and machinery Motor vehides Totals Cost At l April 2023 Additions 48,998 14,245 46,596 109,839 At 31 March 2024 119 830 Depreclatlon At l April 2023 Charge for year 9,340 4,236 9,315 22,891 At 31 March 2024 Net book value At 31 March 2024 At 31 March 2023 Certain fixed assets hove been funded by direct support. These now form part of the restricted funds 1£82,8341 13. Debtors: amounts falllng due wlthln on• year 2024 2023 Trade debtors Prepayments and accrued Income 45,943 479 660 61,440 752 127 525 603 813 567 14. Cash at bank 2024 Total funds 2023 Total funds Bank deFrf)slt account Total 15. Credltori: amounts lalllng due wlthln one year 2024 2023 Bank loans and overdrafts (See note 16) Trade creditors Social security and otrEr taxes Accrued expenses Deferred government grants 5,316 56,763 3,982 644,454 358,381 4,880 85,072 710 516 Ballinderry Rivers Trust freshwater life BALLINDERRY RIVERS TRUST IA Compony Limited by Guarantee. not having o shore capital) 16. Loans An analysis of the maturity of loans is given below.. 2024 2023 Amounts falling due within one year on demand: Bank loans 17. Mov•m•nt In funds Net Transfers At 3113124 At 114123 in funds funds Unrestrlcted funds Unrestricted 145,430 3,171 36,906 148,601 Restrfcted funds Restricted 95,619 (1,302) (36,906) 94,317 TOTAL FUNDS 242 918 Net movement in funds, included in the above ore as follows: Incomlng Resources Movement resources expended In funds Unrestrlcted funds Unrestricted 2,574 (36,309) (33,735) Restricted funds Restricted 883,257 (847,653) 35,604 TOTAL FUNDS 885 831 883 962) Comparatlve$ for movement In fund$ movement in funds At 3113123 At 114122 Unrestricted funds Unrestricted 135.332 10,098 145,430 Restricted funds Restricted 168 95,451 95,619 TOTAL FUNDS 135 500 Ballinderry Rivers Trust freshwater life BALLINDERRY RIVERS TRUST IA Compony Limited by Guarantee. not having o shore capital) 17. Mov•m•nt in funds- continu•d Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows.. Incomlng Resources Movement In funds Unrestricted funds Unrestricted 21,646 (78,467) (56,821) Restrlcted funds Restricted 939,335 (776,965) 162,370 TOTAL FUNDS 855 432) A current year12 months and prior year12 months combined position is as follows.. Transfers At 3113124 At 114122 In funds funds Unrestrlcted funds UnrestrlLted 135.332 (23.637) 36.906 148.601 Restrfcted filnds Restricted 131055 (36,906) 94,317 TOTAL FUNDS 135 500 107 418 242 918 A current year12 months ond prior year12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: Incomlng resources Resources expended Movement in funds Unrestricted funds Unrestricted 24,220 (114,776) (90,556) Restrlcted furKIs Restrlcted 1,822,592 (1,624,618) 197,974 TOTAL FUNDS (1739 394) 107 418 Ballinderry Rivers Trust freshwater life BALLINDERRY RIVERS TRUST IA Compony Limited by Guarantee. not having o shore capital) 18. R•lat•d party diselosur•$ Ballinderry Rivers Trust works alongside River Care Ltd, a company with a separate board comprised of some members who are also trustees of Ballinderry Rivers Trust. The transactions between the two companies relate to a quarterly recharge for office costs of £1,727. The lease on the premises used by both companies is held by BREA Ltd. Related Party 2024 2023 River Care Limit 5,316 19. Reconclllatlon ol net Income to net cash flow from operatlng actlvltles 2024 2023 Net Income for the reporting perfod (as per the Statement of Finanaal Activities) Adjustments for: Depreciation charges Deferred income adjustsnent Flxed asset addition Increase In debtor5 Increase In creditors 1,869 105,549 11,982 10,983 (￿,936) (12,736) (325,197) (9,991) 287,964 262 182) Net cash provlded by operatlons Analysls of changes in net lunds 72 020) 20. Net cash 2023 Movement 2024 Cash at bank Debt Debts falllng due wlthln l year Total 21. Statui The company is limited by guarantee not having a share capital. The liability of the members is limited. Every member of the company undertakes to contribute to the assets of the company in the event of its being wound up while they are members, or within one year thereafter, for the payment of the debts and liabilities of the company contracted before they ceased to be members and the costs, changes and expenses of winding up, and for the adjustment of the rights of the contributors among themselves, such amount as may be required not exceeding £1. Ballinderry Rivers Trust freshwater life BALLINDERRY RIVERS TRUST IA Compony Limited by Guarantee. not having o shore capital) Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 2024 2023 Income and endowments Donatlons and legacles Grants Education services 884,996 835 960,981 960 981 Total Incomlng resources 885,831 960,981 Expendlture Charltable actlvltles Wages Project cost Direct Cost staff tralnlng Volunteer Tralnlng cost Subscrfptlons nsultancy fees 242,042 575,672 1,067 4,686 148,851 644,799 1,699 5,780 35 690 1,200 3,255 827,922 801,854 Other Insurance Recruitment costs Travel, subsIsten￿ & offlce Repairs Llght and heat Telephone L1verti5e￿Ent Depreclation 4,717 6,347 3,226 5,153 2,015 3,958 3,941 3,607 10,983 7,785 3,337 2,624 5,156 4,504 11,982 40,105 39,230 Support costi other Stationery Computer costs neral ex[￿nseS 4nk fees 1,333 4,968 3,095 125 1,200 5,212 1,665 127 9,521 8,204 £countancy and legal fee5 Total re￿rCeS expended 833 962 855 432 Net income Ballinderry Rivers Trust freshwater life BALLINDERRY RIVERS TRUST IA Compony Limited by Guarantee. not having o shore capital) This page does not form part of the statutory financial stotements Analysis of Movements Between Funds for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 Analysls of Net assets between funds GENERAL DESIGNATED RESTRI￿ED ANALYSIS OF NEf ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS FUNDS FUNDS FUNDS Total Tangible assets Net current assetsl (Ilabllltles) Credltors: an￿nts fallen due after one year 2.123 146,478 82.834 11,483 84,957 157,961 242 918 Analysls of movement ol lunds Balance l Aprll 2023 Incomlng Transfers Between funds Balance 31 March 2024 RESTR[￿ED Gross transfers between funds 95,619 883,257 847,653 (36,gJ6) 94,317 UNRESTRIcfED Gro&s tra￿ferS between fun(ts 145,430 2,574 36,309 36,906 148,601 TOTAL FUNDS 24 918 Ballinderry Rivers Trust freshwater life BALLINDERRY RIVERS TRUST IA Compony Limited by Guarantee. not having o shore capital) This page does not form part of the statutory financial stotements Schedule of Resources Expended for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 Restrlcted Unrestrfcted Funds Funds 2024 2024 2024 2023 EXPENDMIRE ON CHARrrABLE AcrIvrrIES EnVIronn￿lt￿l Improvement & Education 219,CK)3 573,177 1,(kn7 23,039 2,495 242,042 575,672 1,067 148,851 6H,799 1.699 5,780 35 Project costs I Con5ervatlon costs Direct c(￿ts Staff TralnlThJ Volunteer Tralnlng & relatLxl ccKsts Sub￿￿ptIons MonltorfThJ equlpment 1,2 1,2C(I 690 801,188 26,734 827,922 801,854 Insuran 3,639 1,078 4,717 6,347 3,226 5,153 2,015 3.958 3,¢341 3,607 Recrultment Costs Travel, ￿bSIsten￿ & Offlce Costs Repalr5 Llght and heat Telephone ertlsements 7,1￿5 2,439 2,113 780 7,785 3,337 2,624 5,156 898 511 1,252 55 4,449 Deprerlatlon 616 34,915 5,190 40,105 39,230 Support Costs statlonery Computer costs General expenses Bank f 1,285 3,476 1,421 1,333 4,968 3,095 125 1,200 5,212 1,665 127 1,492 1,674 125 6,182 3,339 9,521 8,204 AccounLincy Ballinderry Rivers Trust freshwater life BALLINDERRY RIVERS TRUST IA Compony Limited by Guarantee. not having o shore capital) This page does not form part of the statutory financial stotements Ballinderry Rivers Trust freshwater life Ballinderry Rivers Trust freshwater life Ballinderry Rivers Trust aims to conserve, protect, and improve the rivers and loughs of the Ballinderry River system, Lough Neagh, the Lough's western-shore streams, and their wildlife, for the benefit of the public and the wider environment. The Trustees present their report along with the financiol stotements of Bollindeiry Rivers Trust Ithe charitoble componyl for the year ended 31, March 2024. The finoncial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in notes to the finoncial statements and comply with the company's Articles of Association, the Companies Act 2006, Part 8 of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008, other opplicable law and the requirements of the Stotement of Recommended Practice ISORPI, FRS102 and with the financiol reporting standards opplicable to charities preparing their occounts. BALLINDERRY RIVERS TRUST 231a Orritor Road, Cookstown, County Tyrone, BT80 gNB, Northern Ireland Registered with the charity commission for Northern Irela￿ NIC103694 Compony number N1605894- Patron: Jo• Mahon