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2023-12-31-annual-report

Trustees Annual Report & Report on Public Benefit

Aghaloo & Blackwater Community Association Ltd

REPORTING PERIOD

1 January 2023 – 31 December 2023

TRUSTEES

John Ward Chairperson Frances Corley Vice Chairperson Thomas Quinn Kevin Corley Secretary Kathleen McCaughey Treasurer Kate Corley Geraldine Gildernew Patrick McGinn Josie Sherry Assistant Treasurer Sinead McAleer

COMPANY SECRETARY

John Ward

REGISTERED OFFICE

70 Moore Street Aughnacloy Co Tyrone BT69 6AY

BANKERS

First Trust Bank 18 – 20 Scotch Street Dungannon Co. Tyrone BT70 1AZ

ACCOUNTANTS

Kelly & O’Neill Ltd Chartered Accountants 15E Molesworth Street Cookstown Co. Tyrone BT80 8NX

TRUSTEES REPORT

The trustees, who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, submit their Annual Report and the audited Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023 . The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Companies Act 2006 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) effective 1 January 2015) (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), in preparing the annual report and financial statements of the charity.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

Aghaloo & Blackwater Community Association Ltd was incorporated as a Company Limited by Guarantee No. NI615066 governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association under the Companies Act 2006 on 19[th] October 2012.

Aghaloo & Blackwater Community Association Ltd is registered as a Charity with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland No: NIC103936.

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The registered office address is 70 Moore Street, Aughnacloy, Co. Tyrone, Co Tyrone, BT69 6AY.

The trustees of the company are its directors for the purposes of charity law and are collectively referred to as trustees. The company is managed by a board of voluntary trustees elected every year from across the area of benefit. After each election, an induction session is held for new members of the board to explain the major areas of activity, including current programmes of work, guidance on the governance aspects of a trustee’s role, an introduction to the strategic aims over the year ahead and an examination of the main threat and opportunities facing the charity.

Written policies and procedures detail the decision-making powers of the trustees.

RISK MANAGEMENT

The trustees have taken a detailed review of the major risks to which the charity is exposed. A risk exists about future core funding for the organisation. The Board believes the organisation has considered this risk and made provision under the Reserves Policy will be vigilant of the organisation’s risks in the coming months. This situation is true of a large swathe of the sector now; however, the charity trustees are confident that they will be able to sustain the organisation with current income levels, current reserves and new opportunities. The Association has developed a relationship with Aughnacloy Development Association since 2022 and intends developing this to our mutual benefit. A shared committee was established in October 2023 to develop Funding opportunities for both organisations and the village community.

PURPOSES

In ensuring that the activities of the charity provide a public benefit, all our activities are related to one of more of the following charitable objects:

The Company’s objects are specifically restricted to the advancement of community development, the advancement of rural regeneration, the advancement of education, the relief of poverty, unemployment, sickness and the aged and the promotion of the benefit of the inhabitants (hereinafter called “the beneficiaries”) of the Aghaloo area and its environs within County Tyrone and County Monaghan (hereinafter described as "the area of benefit") without distinction of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, nationality, ethnic identity, political or religious opinion, by associating the statutory authorities, community and voluntary organizations and the inhabitants in a common effort to provide facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation or other leisure-time occupation, with the object of fostering a community spirit and improving the conditions of life for the benefit of the inhabitants and in particular:

(a) the provision, maintenance and management of a community educational resource center and facilities for the use of the inhabitants for activities promoted or facilitated by the Company including use for meetings, lectures, classes and other forms of recreational and leisure-time occupation with the object of improving the conditions of life for the said inhabitants.

(b) to support community development, social inclusion and wellbeing activities and to work with partners to support and improve the conditions of the said inhabitants.

(c) to provide high quality and affordable daily care facilities and facilities for the recreation and education of children out-of-school hours and during school holidays and, in addition, to provide care and educational development to those children under statutory school age and support to their parents, guardians or carers.

(d) to promote or assist in the promotion, facilitation and organization of community capacity building programs and projects for the benefit of the inhabitants within the area of benefit who have need of such assistance because of their youth, age, disability or infirmity, or social and economic circumstances, to increase the abilities, skills and self-confidence of such inhabitants.

(e) to advance promote and further the conservation maintenance and protection of features of the landscape in the area of benefit with geographical, physiographical or amenity value and to enhance their contribution to existing environmental amenities in the area of benefit; and,

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(f) to advance any other exclusively charitable purpose as the directors, may from time to time, decide in accordance with the law of charity.

Objectives and Activities / Public Benefit

In shaping our activities and objectives, the trustees have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.

Aghaloo & Blackwater Community Association provides a local Community Centre facility in Aughnacloy village. The three main age groups in the area use the Centre to access, advice, training, events, and social gatherings to assist with community development and wellbeing.

The Association runs a range of regular events and activities: Information Sessions, Public Meetings, Coffee Mornings, Keep Fit, Pilates, Karate, Funeral Functions, GAA Team Training Sessions and GAA Youth skills, local Youth Soccer training, Gymnastics, PILATES and CIRCUITS training and Fitness Training.

The Centre also facilitates other local groups in the area to meet: Senior’s Group, School Children’s Traditional Dance Group, Traditional Music Group, Sure Start, Mother & Baby Group, and Amateur Drama Group. During 2023 both the Southern Trust and Western Trust used the facility to provide family support services

Post Covid-19 the Southern Trust and Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Services have used the center for both donating blood and administering covid boost injections.

Through our involvement with the cross border “Stepping Stones Group” and active cooperation with Truagh Development at Ballyosin, Co Monaghan, we participate in cross border and cross community events with other local community and development organizations in the surrounding area.

During the reporting period the organisation carried out its operations under the following key activities:

  1. Community development

  2. Community enterprise

  3. Cross-border / cross-community

  4. Cultural

  5. Education / Training

  6. General charitable purposes

  7. Rural Development

  8. Sport / Recreation

  9. Youth development.

  10. Close co-operation with Aughnacloy Development Association

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Key Activities for the year: 1 January 2023 – 31 December 2023:

Core programme of community activities retained in Hall: Karate, Circuits, Drama Club, Bowls tournament, Pilates, Irish Dancing, Line Dancing, Indoor Soccer, GFC bookings, Youth Soccer training, Gymnastics, Sure Start, Parish events, School Events and private parties.

During the period under review the Centre’s activities have recovered from the Covid-19 Pandemic. The Centre recommenced operations on 06/09/2021, we have no ongoing restrictions from this period.

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In the Period under review 01/01/2023 to 31/12/2023, we facilitated 481 individual events (2022: 386 Events) which involved 13,991 Individual users, a 25% increase on the previous year. (2022: 11,149 individual users).

New Developments / enhancements / one-off events:

Aghaloo Community Notes – we have not recommenced this publication after Covid restrictions were lifted by the government, but the centre has increased its communication via the Facebook® Page

In 2024 the association continued with Website use to advertise events www.aghaloocommunity.com

PUBLIC BENEFIT

The direct benefits which flow from these purposes include improved education, increased confidence, recreation, social inclusion, health and well-being outcomes, reduced levels of poverty, social isolation, stress and anxiety, increased socializing, cooperation, good/community relations, networking, capacity building, increased skills, and confidence, which will improve circumstances, opportunities and development in the area through regular events and activities.

These benefits are demonstrated through feedback from beneficiaries and attendees at our events and activities using Attendance Records, evaluation forms, surveys, verbal feedback, and evaluation of our activities.

The charity’s beneficiaries are primarily local people, especially Children, Young people, and older people living in and around the Aughnacloy area and its environs of the former Dungannon & South Tyrone area of Mid Ulster District Council and the surrounding border area.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

FINANCIAL POSITION AT END OF YEAR

For the year income is £22,463.87 (2022: £18,209.55). This reflects the improvement in the both the number of events and attendance and an improving revenue stream during 2023. Expenses during the year under review increased in line with activity to £14,108.06 (2022: £10,506.60) In the year under review cash reserves improved from £28,804.97 on 31/12/2022 to £37,160.78 at 31/12/2023. The Management team are satisfied that the organisation remains in a very strong financial position.

OUTSTANDING DEBTS OR LIABILITIES

There were no debts or outstanding debts or liabilities. We plan to complete painting and maintenance on the centre during 2024 using some of our reserves to refresh the centre which will also celebrate its 10[th] Anniversary during 2024.

RESERVES POLICY

The Charity has a Reserves Policy which details why reserves are held and the level of reserves appropriate for the charity. The trustees review the level of free reserves required (that is those funds

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not tied up in fixed assets, designated and restricted funds) on an annual basis to ensure continuity of charitable operations.

FUNDS IN MATERIAL DEFICIT AND STEPS TAKEN TO MITIGATE

There were no funds in material deficit.

FINANCIAL MITIGATION

The Charity is looking at ways of increasing funding to meet current needs and this is reviewed annually.

Designated reserves for various purposes are detailed and a cash flow fund is held to bridge any potential gaps or shortfalls in funding streams and to underpin viable programmes that are experiencing cash flow problems. The Association values and appreciates the ongoing financial support of Mid Ulster District Council. We are also engaged with Aughnacloy Development Association to identify and secure funding streams via a joint Funding Advisory Board, which commenced in October 2023.

FUNDS HELD BY THE CHARITY AS A CUSTODIAN TRUSTEE

The Charity holds no funds as custodian trustees on behalf of others.

FUTURE STRATEGY

The Company plans to continue in developing its services in line with its strategic priorities outlined above and it will seek to develop collaborative partnerships with a range of external agencies and organisations. Funding arrangements will be kept under review in relation to demand for service improvements and constraints on public expenditure.

BENEFICIARIES

The charity’s beneficiaries are primarily local people, especially Children, Young people, and older people living in and around the Aughnacloy area and its environs of the former Dungannon & South Tyrone area of Mid Ulster District and the surrounding border area.

RESTRICTIONS ON WHO CAN BENEFIT

There are no restrictions on who can benefit.

There are no restrictions based on personal characteristics.

PRIVATE BENEFIT

There is no private benefit to any individual.

A private benefit to Trustees may arise from our ongoing services and programmes of leisure and activities: information, recreation, training, capacity building, events, and networking activities.

Trustees gain services, leisure activities, information, skills, capacity building, and experience which are transferable to other settings, and which may benefit their own community group or area.

Our own Trustees receive information, services, and activities in the same way as other beneficiaries, and are assigned support, information, and services in the same way as other beneficiaries.

These benefits are incidental and necessary to ensure the benefit is provided to our beneficiaries.

HARM

No harm has flowed from any of our Purposes.

SERIOUS INCIDENT REPORTING

There are no serious incidents to report.

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VULNERABLE BENFICIARIES

Appropriate Policies, Procedures and Training are in place such as POCVA Policy & Procedures.

STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE

The Trustees have complied with their duty to have due regard to the Charity Commission NI’s Public Benefit Guidance when exercising any powers or duties to which the guidance is relevant.

By order of the Board:

Chairman 31 December 2023

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