## **CLOUGHMILLS COMMUNITY ACTION TEAM** ## **REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES** ## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** The Board of Trustees, who are also the Company Directors, present their report and financial statements of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2024. The Trustees have adopted the al statements of the Company. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in the notes to the financial statements and comply with the Company governing document, the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008, Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015, and Charities SORP (FRS 102) Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement 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). ## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS** References and administrative details are shown in the schedule of Trustees of the Company and professional advisers on page 1 of the financial statements. ## **TRUSTEES** The Directors of the Company are its Trustees for the purpose of charity law. The Trustees who served the company during the year were as follows: B Donnelly _(resigned 11 October 2023)_ J Whitten _(resigned 31 October 2023)_ D McCook _(resigned 10 January 2024)_ P Doran M Millar _(resigned 27 September 2023)_ M Cooper D Martin S McIlvenna _(resigned 23 November 2023)_ J P Frew _(appointed 27 September 2023)_ D Donnelly _(appointed 21 March 2024)_ J Loughridge _(appointed 21 March 2024)_ ## **PUBLIC BENEFIT STATEMENT** The Directors of Cloughmills Community Action Team, CCAT, confirm that they have had due regard for the guidance on Public Benefit by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland and are pleased to report that during the period the company continued to provide the Public Benefits through programmes and services on offer. In particular, the directors consider how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives they have set. 2 | P a g e ## **CLOUGHMILLS COMMUNITY ACTION TEAM** ## **REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES (continued)** ## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** ## **PUBLIC BENEFIT STATEMENT (continued)** ## **Public Benefits** organisations are able to work better together to provide a range of facilities and services to the inhabitants of Cloughmills and the surrounding district, all of which helps to promote good community relations. The benefits are delivered through partnerships working on: - village renewal, - joint funding of training to support community organisations in the delivery of services and partnership projects to explore local history and traditions. - presence on the Web and on Facebook and a community newsletter to keep people informed. ## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES** The principal objects of the Company are as stated in the Memorandum of Association: To promote the benefit of the inhabitants of Cloughmills and surrounding district without distinction. CCAT maintains flowerbeds, hanging baskets, grassed areas and hedges around the village to ensure that local inhabitants can take pride in the appearance of their community. It has created a community allotment garden and bio park at the Old Mill, Cloughmills where it has developed a range of activities involving the growing of food (fruit and veg) , the cooking of food and training local people in those activities - locally known as the project. CCAT continue to look for new projects that help local inhabitants to gain new skills which contribute to better health, a better quality of life and help to prevent social isolation. The garden and bio park provide an ideal setting in which people can learn about nature and environmental conservation. CCAT runs courses and activities for those purposes, especially for young people. It has also developed courses on social and therapeutic horticulture for people with mental health conditions and provides open access to the bio park grounds for general recreational needs. Training courses for various craft-based activities are provided at the garden and at other venues which help local people to develop new skills, (jam making , beer making, baking, Christmas decorations, candle making, felting and patchwork quilting). CCAT also provides courses for digital inclusion which are helpful for older people in the community to cope with online services. 3 | P a g e ## **CLOUGHMILLS COMMUNITY ACTION TEAM** ## **REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES (continued)** ## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** ## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES (continued)** CCAT manages the delivery of a number of community events throughout the year with the annual June and Christmas Fairs being the key events in the local calendar all contributing to the development of good community relations. ## **STRUCTURE GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT** ## **Governing Document** Cloughmills Community Action Team is a company limited by guarantee not having a share capital The Company was incorporated on 04 November 2011. The Company is registered with the NI Charity Commission as of 03 November 2015; Charity No: 103897. ## **Organisational structure and related parties** Responsibilities for the activities of the Company is vested in and carried out by a Board of Trustees which meets at intervals throughout the period. Trustees may be appointed by resolution of a meeting of the Board of Trustees. None of the Trustees receive remuneration or other benefit from their work with the charity. Any connection between a Trustees of the Charity with a contracted supplier must be disclosed to the full Board in the same way as any other contractual relationship with a related party. In the current year there are no such related party transactions to report. ## **Recruitment, appointment, induction and training** The Board of Trustees have been involved in the charity for several years and so are familiar with its work. The Trustees regularly review the requirements of CCAT and the possibility of a need for additional Trustees. Appropriate training and induction are available to all new Trustees. ## **Financial risk management objectives and policies** The Trustees have overall responsibility for ensuring that CCAT has in place an appropriate system of controls, financial and otherwise. The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which CCAT is exposed, in particular those related to the operations and finances of the company and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate any exposure to major risks. ## **ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE** In 2023-24, the Team has continued to deliver on its objectives through a number of various activities: ## **Friday Wellbeing Group** This group continues to go from strength to strength, meeting on an almost continuous basis all year round. As well as learning new skills, this group participates in and supports wider activities such as 4 | P a g e ## **CLOUGHMILLS COMMUNITY ACTION TEAM** ## **REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES (continued)** ## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** ## **ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE (continued)** seasonal social activities including our now annual Christmas Fair. Aside from activities it focuses on the health benefits which flow from being part of a group and participating in activities with a social purpose. is an opportunity for men to learn new skills, discover hidden abilities and to showcase all of this to visitors. They also actively support seasonal social activities and are also available to help out by designing solutions to various issues which may arise. Like the wellbeing group, there are wider benefits which extend beyond the activities with a visit to Rathlin Island as part of the project to eradicate ferrets and rats being one such highlight. ## **Community Fridge** The Community Fridge is now in its 8[th] year. The objective of the initiative is to redistribute food Ballymena. We are grateful to them and our volunteers who maintain this service. We have entered into a new partnership with Doherty and Gray which has meant the addition to a range of meat products to our offering. ## **Library of Things** The Library of Things is another resource used by the Cloughmills community. It is an example of shared resources and not only delivers practical and financial benefits but also tackles the issue of waste arising from everyone owning lots of things. ## **Events** Our Events Team managed high quality events which take a huge amount of time, effort and creativity to both design and deliver. We now have a calendar of events, giving people access to fun and entertainment within walking distance of a significant number of village households. The volunteers involved have been really successful in generating funding to ensure we can deliver affordable options. As well as the more established events such as the June Fair and Christmas, the team has developed the Christmas Fair, carol service and lights switch on, held movie events and supported the arts and crafts summer scheme. ## **Community Garden & Park** The Community Garden & Park are at the heart of our group and serve as a location for activities as well as areas where nature and people can thrive together. The community garden hosts various social events as well as our own activities. This year, much of the work was conducted by 3 key volunteers supported by our Duke of Edinburgh placement students. It is extremely fulfilling to be able to facilitate these local young people. Our green and blue spaces continue to be enjoyed by a large number of people. We welcome this and it was always important that people have the opportunity to go for walks or sit enjoying what 5 | P a g e **CLOUGHMILLS COMMUNITY ACTION TEAM** ## **REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES (continued)** ## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** ## **ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE (continued)** our facilities have to offer. Our school and playgroup continue to use the facilities for curriculumbased work. We organised 3 gentler activities in the garden circus skills, nature printing & drumming. These were all well received. ## **Other facilities** Our spaces are well used, and the last year saw an increase in this. It is very satisfying for the Trustees to see progressive people with ideas simply needing space to trial or make their ideas work. We have a book club, baby massage, yoga, macrame, supper clubs, a community choir, consultations and hire by other distinct groups including local churches. Like everything we do we depend on our hardworking volunteers who clean, put up tables, take down tables and generally ensure people have everything they need. ## **Financial** Cloughmills Community Action Team is a non-profit making organisation. Total income for the year amounted to £43,885 (2023: £44,639). Income derived from charitable activities amounted to £26,145 (2023: £32,258) and other income amounted to £17,740 (2023: £12,381). Total expenditure for the year amounted to £35,723 (2023: £35,059). The net income for the year, after writing off old unpresented cheques of £3,478 amounted to £11,640 (2023: £9,580) with net assets of £312,739 at 31 March 2024, (2023: £301,099). The Trustees consider that Cloughmills Community Action Team is in a satisfactory position to carry on its charitable activities. ## **PLANS FOR FUTURE PERIODS** There are no major changes envisaged in the foreseeable future. ## **TRUSTEES RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT** The Trustees (who are also the directors of Cloughmills Community Action Team for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) including FRS 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of The law applicable to charities in Northern Ireland requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial period which give a true and fair view of the of the Company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the Company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to: - select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently. - observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP 2015 (FRS 102). - make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent. 6 | P a g e ## **CLOUGHMILLS COMMUNITY ACTION TEAM** ## **REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES (continued)** ## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** ## **TRUSTEES RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT (continued)** - state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements. - prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Company will continue in operation. The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006, Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 and The Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. In so far as the Trustees are aware: - there is no relevant information of which the Company - the Trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant information and to establish that the independent examiner is aware of that information. ## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER** A resolution proposing K Higgins FCA to be re-appointed as Independent Examiner will be put forward at the Annual General Meeting. ## **SMALL COMPANY EXEMPTIONS** This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions for small companies under Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006. Signed, By Order of the Trustees on 26 November 2024: Registered office: 70 Main Street Cloughmills Ballymena BT44 9LF **Mr Patrick Frew Trustee** 7 | P a g e